Burrium facts for kids

Burrium was a large Roman army base, known as a fortress, located in what is now Usk in Monmouthshire, south east Wales. It was a very important place during the time of Roman Britain, helping the Romans take control of the area.

What Was Burrium?

Burrium was a major military camp built by the Roman army. It wasn't just a small fort; it was a huge base for a whole Roman legion, which was a very large group of soldiers. Today, you can find its remains hidden beneath the modern town of Usk.

Building a Roman Fortress

The Romans built this impressive fortress around the year AD 55. It covered a massive area, about 48 acres (or 19 hectares). Imagine a space big enough for many football fields! It was likely built for the Legio XX Valeria Victrix, also known as the 20th Legion, a powerful Roman army unit. Sometimes, an additional group of 500 cavalry soldiers, called an ala, might have been stationed there too.

The fortress was protected by strong walls made of earth and timber. Inside, there were many barracks, which were buildings where the soldiers lived.

Why Was Burrium Important?

Burrium played a key role in the Roman conquest of Wales. The local tribe, called the Silures, were very brave and resisted Roman rule fiercely. The fortress at Burrium was essential for the Romans to try and control these strong-willed people. It was a base from which the Roman army could launch attacks and keep watch over the area.

The End of the Fortress

Even though it was very important, the 20th Legion didn't stay at Burrium forever. In AD 66, just about 11 years after it was built, the legion was moved to another place called Viroconium Cornoviorum (which is now Wroxeter in England). After the legion left, the large fortress at Burrium was mostly abandoned as a main army base.

For a short time, it was used as a workshop, especially for working with iron. Around the fortress, a small civilian settlement, called a vicus, usually grew up. This was where traders and families of soldiers lived. However, the vicus at Burrium didn't seem to grow into a big town, though it might have had an official stopping place for travelers called a mansio.