Moridunum (Axminster) facts for kids
Moridunum was a Roman fort and a small town in the ancient Roman province of Britannia (which is now England). Today, you can find its remains at Woodbury Farm. This spot is just south of Axminster in the English county of Devon.
What Was Moridunum?
Moridunum started as a Roman military fort. A fort like this was called a castra by the Romans. It was built in the 2nd century AD, which means the 100s AD. This fort was square-shaped. It had a protective ditch around it, and parts of this ditch can still be seen today.
Where Was This Roman Settlement?
The fort was built in a very important location. It was at the meeting point of two major Roman roads. One was the famous Fosse Way. The other road connected two other Roman towns: Durnovaria (modern-day Dorchester) and Isca Dumnoniorum (modern-day Exeter). This made Moridunum a key stop for travelers and goods.
What Was Life Like in Moridunum?
Soon after the fort was built, a civilian settlement grew up next to it. This was a town where ordinary people lived and worked. The town grew partly because a large stone building was constructed there. This building was likely a mansio. A mansio was like a hotel or rest stop for officials and travelers using the Roman postal service.
Moridunum became an important place for making pottery in the 3rd century AD (the 200s AD). People continued to live and work in the town for a long time. The settlement was active until the end of the 4th century AD (the 300s AD).
