Vindolanda Fort and Museum ***
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© Copyright Andrew Curtis and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
Description:
Soon after Hadrian's Wall was built, most of its men were moved north to the recently established Antonine Wall. A stone fort was built at Vindolanda, possibly for the 2nd Cohort of Nervians. From 208 to 211 AD, there was a major rebellion against Rome in Britain, and the Emperor Septimius Severus led an army to Britain to cope with it personally. The old stone fort was demolished and replaced by an unconventional set of army buildings on the west and an unusual array of many round stone huts where the old fort had been.
© Copyright Chris Gunns and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Some of these circular huts are visible by the north and the southwest walls of the final stone fort. The Roman army may have built these to accommodate families of British farmers in this unsettled period. Septimius Severus died at York in 211 AD; his sons paid off the rebels and left for Rome. The stone buildings were demolished, and a large new stone fort was built where the huts had been, for the 4th Cohort of Gauls.
For the museum: Roman Army Museum