CORBRIDGE (Corstopitum)		Quality of Remains
		Ease of Access
		Atmosphere & Setting

History:

Corstopitum (or possibly Coriostopitum) can be translated as the 'Noisy Valley', though there are a number of other possible names assigned to Corbridge, including Coria and Corie Lopocarium, depending on source material. Its importance was guaranteed due to its position at a crossroads between the Stanegate running east to west and Dere Street running north to south, two of the busiest roads in Roman Britain. The site is also the lowest point at which the Tyne can be crossed by ford. Originally built as an early fort during the campaigns of Agricola (around 80 AD), this fort was burned and levelled around 100 AD and a larger fort constructed on the site. Again, around 120 AD this was replaced with a third fort. Despite some rebuilding in the mid 2nd century, it seems that by the early 3rd century the forts had been levelled once more, with the civil town now growing far beyond the level of a vicus, complete with a number of classical temples, a city wall, and the military presence limited to the two walled Legionary compounds in the centre of the town. The town continued as a civil settlement to and beyond the end of Roman occupation, with Saxon finds being made on the site.

Occupation:

Corbridge was unusual in that it was occupied by vexillations (detachments) from the various Legions stationed in Britain for some time. Around 140 AD detachments from the 2nd Augusta Legion are attested, though they were replaced by at least 158 AD by a detachment from the 6th Victrix Legion, who remained until some time after 202 AD, augmented at one point by an extra detachment from the 20th Legion. Interestingly, a dedicated altar to Concordia (the goddess of peace) was set up jointly by the 6th and 20th Legions, suggesting that there was considerable friction between the two when they were both stationed here. An unidentified Legion is known to have occupied Corbridge between 205 and 208 AD from an inscription on the granaries, though this is likely to still be the 6th. Despite the presence of Legionaries for at least 60 years, there are small references to auxiliary units, though there is no reason to believe that they were ever based here as a garrison after the construction of the Trajanic fort of 103 AD(?). A tombstone at Corbridge refers to a trooper of the Ala Petriana, though there is no reason to suggest the unit was based here, as they are known to have been based at Carlisle and Stanwix for almost their entire existence in Britain. If they were ever based at Corbridge, it must be sometime in the 40 or so years following 71 AD when they arrived in the Province and before their stationing at Carlisle. More likely the trooper settled in Corbridge after his retirement. The 1st Cohort of Vardulli and the 1st Cohort of Lingones are both attested on individual undated building inscriptions here.

Remains and Visit:

The remains at Corbridge are interesting, though a trifle confusing. The granaries are in a good state of preservation, with a loading platform having survived on one. Along the front of them runs the Stanegate and next to them a huge courtyard building, likely a forum, within which have been excavated some of the remains from one of the earlier forts, confusing the remains a little. To the other side of the Stanegate lie the military compounds and a few civil buildings. Again this is complicated, partially by the fact that the Legionary compounds are an irregular shape (with curved walls!), and partially by subsidence which has given a 'rolling' sensation to the landscape with the low surviving walls following the contours. Despite the confusion, Corbridge is a site well worth a visit.

Images:

Granaries	Courtyard building	Military compounds	Strongroom