Chester was originally founded as a Roman fortress, or 'castrum' named Deva Victrix, in the year 79. Deva Victrix was founded by Roman Legio II Adiutrix during the reign of Emperor Vespasian and quickly became an integral part of Roman history.
Though built as an army base, there are a number of factors which suggest that the base may have been a potential base for invasion of Ireland. This is due to not only the presence of an elliptical building which may have acted as the governor of Britain's headquarters, but also due to the unusual size, being 20% larger than other Roman fortresses found in Britain. Along with these features, the fortress contains barracks, granaries, military headquarters and military bath, all of which further add to the grandeur of the fortress.
At the end of the first Century, A.D., Deva was rebuilt by Legio XX Valeria Victrix, who, along with rebuilding the fortress, renamed it Deva Victrix, after himself. This was not to be the last time the fortress was rebuilt, going through a further reconstruction in the early 3rd century.
A civilian settlement, known as a canabae, also grew around the fortress. This is one of the reasons why a large amphitheatre can be found in Chester. Chester Roman Amphitheatre was the largest military amphitheatres in Britain and could seat up to 10,000 spectators. This civilian settlement was so popular that it remained long after the Romans departed and has come to comprise much of the city of Chester as we know it today. Peripheral settlements can also be seen around the sight known as Deva, including Boughton, the source of the garrison's water supply, and Handbridge, the site of a sandstone quarry and the Minerva Shrine. The shrine is the only rock-cut Roman shrine found in Britain.
Chester's Roman history is indeed a unique and important part of the development of the city as it is known today. To further emphasize this is the fact that Chester's four main roads, Eastgate, Northgate, Watergate and Bridge, follow routes laid out during the Roman settlement and construction of Deva Victrix. Many of the sites still remain and are popular among visitors to the area for their impressiveness as well as the history they embody.
Though built as an army base, there are a number of factors which suggest that the base may have been a potential base for invasion of Ireland. This is due to not only the presence of an elliptical building which may have acted as the governor of Britain's headquarters, but also due to the unusual size, being 20% larger than other Roman fortresses found in Britain. Along with these features, the fortress contains barracks, granaries, military headquarters and military bath, all of which further add to the grandeur of the fortress.
At the end of the first Century, A.D., Deva was rebuilt by Legio XX Valeria Victrix, who, along with rebuilding the fortress, renamed it Deva Victrix, after himself. This was not to be the last time the fortress was rebuilt, going through a further reconstruction in the early 3rd century.
A civilian settlement, known as a canabae, also grew around the fortress. This is one of the reasons why a large amphitheatre can be found in Chester. Chester Roman Amphitheatre was the largest military amphitheatres in Britain and could seat up to 10,000 spectators. This civilian settlement was so popular that it remained long after the Romans departed and has come to comprise much of the city of Chester as we know it today. Peripheral settlements can also be seen around the sight known as Deva, including Boughton, the source of the garrison's water supply, and Handbridge, the site of a sandstone quarry and the Minerva Shrine. The shrine is the only rock-cut Roman shrine found in Britain.
Chester's Roman history is indeed a unique and important part of the development of the city as it is known today. To further emphasize this is the fact that Chester's four main roads, Eastgate, Northgate, Watergate and Bridge, follow routes laid out during the Roman settlement and construction of Deva Victrix. Many of the sites still remain and are popular among visitors to the area for their impressiveness as well as the history they embody.
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