Viroconium Cornoviorum facts for kids
Remains of the public baths, known as "The Old Work"
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 Location in Shropshire
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| Location | Wroxeter, Shropshire, England |
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| Region | Britannia |
| Coordinates | 52°40′26″N 2°38′42″W / 52.674°N 2.645°W |
| Type | Settlement |
- For the fictional city in the works of M. John Harrison, see Viriconium.
Viroconium, also called Uriconium, was a large Roman town. Today, a small village called Wroxeter in Shropshire, England, sits on one part of its original site. This ancient town was about 5 miles (8 km) east-south-east of Shrewsbury.
At its busiest, Viroconium was one of the biggest Roman settlements in Britain. It was a civitas, which means a main town for a local area. More than 15,000 people may have lived there. The town likely continued to exist until the late 600s or early 700s AD. You can still see many parts of the old town today.
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What's in a Name?
The name Viroconium comes from a Celtic word. Experts believe it was originally *Uiroconion. This name likely meant "[city] of *Uirokū".
The word *Uirokū itself probably meant "man-wolf" or "werewolf". It was likely a man's name.
The original capital of the local British tribe, the Cornovii, was a strong hillfort on the Wrekin. This hillfort was also called *Uiroconion. When the Romans took control of the Cornovii, they moved the capital to Wroxeter. They gave it the Roman name Viroconium. The full name, "Viroconium Cornoviorum," means "Viroconium of the Cornovii." This helped people know it was the main town for the Cornovii tribe.
History of Viroconium
Roman Beginnings
Wroxeter started as a Roman army camp. This happened early in the Roman conquest of Britain. It was a frontier post for a group of Thracian soldiers called Auxilia. These soldiers were part of the campaigns led by Governor Publius Ostorius Scapula.
The location was very important for the Roman army. It was near the end of Watling Street, a major Roman road across Britain. This road started in Dubris (Dover). Viroconium protected the River Severn valley, which came out of Cambria (Wales). It also guarded the route south towards the Wye Valley.
In the mid-1st century, a Roman army unit called Legio XIV Gemina took over the site. They built a much larger fortress there. This was in preparation for the invasion of Wales.
In 78 AD, Governor Gnaeus Julius Agricola led campaigns in North Wales. He also fought against the druids on Ynys Môn. In 80 AD, Agricola took Legio XIV Gemina north. They went on expeditions against the Picts in Scotland. After Legio XIV Gemina left, Legio XX Valeria Victrix took over the fortress.
From Fort to Town
By the late 80s AD, the Roman army stopped using the fort. Legio XX Valeria Victrix moved to Deva Victrix. At this time, a civilian settlement had grown up around the army fort. This settlement was called a canabae. It began to turn the fort into a town.
Archaeologists have found that an unfinished army bath house became the town's forum. A decade later, new streets were built. These streets followed a town plan, replacing the old army fort layout.
The large, columned forum started being built in the 120s AD. It covered the unfinished bath house. An important inscription found during excavations shows it was finished in 130 AD. This inscription was dedicated to Emperor Hadrian.
The town grew a lot, especially under Emperor Hadrian. It covered an area of more than 173 acres (70 hectares). It had many public buildings, including public baths. Simpler temples and shops have also been found.
At its peak, Viroconium was one of the richest Roman towns. It was the fourth largest in Britain. Its population was over 15,000 people. Its wealth was surprising for a frontier town. This might be because it had good access to Wales and other trade routes.
Between 165 and 185 AD, the forum burned down. Nearby shops and houses also caught fire. Many items from the shops were later found during excavations. The forum was rebuilt with some changes.
After Roman rule ended in Britain around 410 AD, the Cornovii tribe split. This division led to Viroconium becoming less important.
Early Medieval Period
Viroconium served as an early capital for the sub-Roman kingdom of Powys. It is sometimes thought to be one of the ancient Welsh cities. These cities, Cair Urnarc or Cair Guricon, were listed in the Historia Brittonum.
Viroconium became the court site for a kingdom called the Wrocensaete. This kingdom was the successor to Cornovia. Wrocensaete means 'the inhabitants of Wroxeter'.
The Wroxeter Stone, also called the Cunorix Stone, was found in 1967. It has writing in an Insular Celtic language. Experts believe it is "partly-Latinized Primitive Irish." The inscription is probably on a reused gravestone. It is dated to 460-475 AD. This was when Irish raiders started settling in South Wales and southwest Britain.
Town life in Viroconium continued into the fifth century. However, many buildings started to fall apart. Between 530 and 570 AD, most Roman towns and villas in Britain were being left empty. But Viroconium had a big rebuilding program.
The old basilica (a large public building) was carefully taken down. New timber-framed buildings were built on stone platforms. These likely included a very large two-story building. There were also storage buildings and houses. In total, 33 new buildings were "carefully planned and executed." They were "skillfully constructed to Roman measurements." This shows trained workers were used.
We don't know who started this rebuilding. It might have been a bishop. Some buildings were rebuilt three times. The community probably lasted about 75 years. Then, for some reason, many buildings were taken apart.
The site was likely left peacefully in the late 600s or early 700s. A smaller kingdom of the Angles called the Wreocensæte appeared in the area. This happened when Oswiu conquered Pengwern in 656 AD. The court of the Kingdom of Powys later moved to Mathrafal. This was sometime before 717 AD, after a famine and plague in its original location.
What's Left Today?
An archaeologist named Philip A. Barker thought that stones from Viroconium were used to build nearby churches. These churches are in Atcham, Wroxeter, and Upton Magna. However, many large parts of Viroconium still stand today.
These include "the Old Work." This is an archway that was part of the baths' frigidarium (cold room). It is the largest free-standing Roman ruin in England. You can also see the remains of the bath complex.
These ruins are open to the public. Along with a small museum, they are cared for by English Heritage. The site is known as "Wroxeter Roman City." Some important items found there are in the Music Hall Museum in Shrewsbury. Most of the town is still buried underground. However, experts have mapped much of it using geophysical survey and aerial archaeology.
Archaeological research at the site is still happening. More buildings are being uncovered.
Reconstructed Roman Villa
In February 2011, a reconstructed Roman villa opened to visitors. This villa helps people understand Roman building methods. It also shows how Romans lived.
A Channel 4 TV show called Rome Wasn't Built in a Day showed how it was built. They used real ancient techniques. Local volunteers helped the builders. Archaeologist Dai Morgan Evans supervised the project. He also designed the villa.
Images for kids
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Remains of the public baths, known as "The Old Work"
See also
In Spanish: Viroconium para niños
