| Abstract: |
Recent work has rendered previous guides obsolete and this new revision provides a full description, primarily for archaeologists, of current knowledge, together with discussion of many problems of the Welsh and North British military situation. Now seen to have been intended as a permanent base from the first (c AD 74-5), Caerleon was rarely, if ever, fully occupied by its legion, the Second Augusta. Various alterations were made before AD 120, including the substitution of stone defences for the earlier earthworks, but only some time after Hadrian's Wall had been completed were the barracks finally rebuilt in stone. Dense occupation followed c 150-200, and there may have been a strained military situation in Wales. Large-scale repairs were made in early 3rd century, and some buildings fell into disuse, though not disrepair. Occupation at reduced scale continued until the reign of Carausius, when troops were withdrawn, demolitions began, and subsequent occupation was non-military in character. The second part of the publication describes selected buildings and the cemeteries. |
