Return to Roman Ruins in Britain

Caerwent

Caerwent (Venta Silurum) was founded soon after the conquest of Wales and, by the time of Hadrian, had become the tribal capital of the Silures. The defensive walls, which are the best preserved of any Roman town in Britain, were built around AD 330. The bastions were added several decades later. (Notice, in this picture of the southern wall, how the towers stand free of the wall, itself.)

A forum-basilica has been uncovered, the only site in Britain where such a building can be seen. There also is a Romano-Celtic temple, several houses, and in the church porch, which likely is locked, an inscribed stone dedicated by the Silures honoring a former commander of Legio II at nearby Caerleon for some service done them.

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