Dubris facts for kids
Dubris was the name of a Roman port in Roman Britain. It was located where the town of Dover, Kent, England, is today. It was also known as Portus Dubris or Dubrae.
Dover was a perfect spot for a port because it is the closest point in Britain to continental Europe. Also, the River Dour flowed into the sea there. In Roman times, Dubris became a very important place for the military, trade, and travel across the English Channel. It was one of the main starting points for the famous Roman road, Watling Street. Roman soldiers, first from the Classis Britannica (the Roman fleet), and later from a Saxon Shore Fort, guarded the port.
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Why did Julius Caesar try to land at Dover?
Caesar's invasions of Britain In 55 BC, the famous Roman general Julius Caesar tried to invade Britain for the first time. He first attempted to land his ships at Dubris. He probably thought it was a good landing spot because of its natural harbour.
However, when his ships got close, he saw many Britons gathered on the high cliffs overlooking the shore. The cliffs were so close that people could throw spears down onto anyone trying to land. Caesar waited for hours, then decided it was too risky. He sailed his fleet about seven miles along the coast to a more open beach instead.
What was the Classis Britannica fort?
The Classis Britannica was the Roman fleet that operated in British waters. Its main job was to protect the sea routes between Gaul (modern France) and Britain. It also helped the Roman army on land in Britannia.
The fleet's main harbour was in Boulogne, France. However, it also had smaller bases in Britain, including one at Dubris. This base helped keep the sea lanes safe for Roman ships.
How did Roman lighthouses help ships?
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Soon after the Romans conquered Britain, they built two lighthouses at Dover. Each was called a Pharos, like the famous Pharos of Alexandria. These lighthouses were built on the two high hills, the Eastern Heights and the Western Heights. They were likely built in the 1st century AD.
The lighthouse on the Eastern Heights is still standing today! It is about 80 feet (24 meters) tall and is located within the grounds of Dover Castle. It has even been used as the bell tower for the nearby church, St Mary de Castro. This Roman Pharos is a very important historic building.
Sadly, not much is left of the western lighthouse. What remains is called the Bredenstone. It was covered up during building work in the 1700s but was found again in the 1860s.
What was Dubris like at its peak?
At its busiest, Dubris was a very important trading hub. It became the main Roman port for crossing the English Channel. Along with another port called Rutupiae, Dubris was one of the starting points for Watling Street. This Roman road led to Canterbury and eventually to London.
What is the Roman Painted House?
In the 1970s, during the building of a new road, Roman remains were discovered in Dover. Archaeologists found a Roman building known as the "Roman Painted House." This building was a mansio, which was like a hostel for government officials and important travelers. It was built around 200 AD.
The Roman Painted House is famous because it has some of the best Roman wall paintings found in Britain. There are over 400 square feet (37 square meters) of painted plaster, which is the most extensive ever found north of the Alps. Because of these amazing paintings, it has been called "Britain's Buried Pompeii".
The paintings show colorful panels framed by columns, creating a cool 3D effect. Many of the designs feature images related to Bacchus, the Roman God of wine.
Other interesting things at the Painted House include some Roman gems and a medieval skeleton. The skeleton was found in a nearby church and was nicknamed "Fred" by the museum's volunteers.
Why was a Saxon Shore fort built?
Around 270 AD, the Roman mansio (the Painted House) was taken down to make way for a new fort. This new fort was a Saxon Shore fort. These forts were built along the coast to defend against raids from Saxon pirates.
Interestingly, when the mansio was demolished, its lower walls and paintings were actually preserved. This happened because they were covered and protected by the new fort's rampart.
Where can you see Roman remains today?
You can still see some parts of the Roman fort today. You might be able to see a small amount at the Dover Library and Discovery Centre. There is also a pub (a type of restaurant/bar) near Market Square that is built on top of the old Roman Quay.
The best place to see Roman remains in Dover is at the Roman Painted House. There, you can see parts of the mansio, the Saxon Shore Fort, and the Classis Britannica fort all in one place.
How was the Roman Painted House discovered?
In the 1970s, the town council planned to build a car park on the site where the Roman Painted House was found. However, the Kent Archaeological Rescue Unit (KARU), led by Brian Philp, started finding Roman remains.
After a big disagreement with the council and builders, the excavation was allowed to continue. KARU built a special cover-building over the site to protect the remains. The car park was built somewhere else, and the museum was finished before the car park.
Thousands of people have visited the Roman Painted House, including the Queen Mother. Brian Philp still helps manage the museum and gives talks to students, tourists, and experts. Other important items, like a special glass vessel, are also kept there and studied by academics.
The cover-building still stands over the remains today. However, it needs more funding to stay open and well-maintained. Many people believe the site should have been better connected with other Roman remains in Dover. Much of the rest of the site was reburied under the new bypass road.
Images for kids
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The Roman lighthouse at Dover Castle
See also
In Spanish: Dubris para niños
