LINCOLN (Lindum)		Quality of Remains
		Ease of Access
		Atmosphere & Setting

History:

The name Lindum likely predates the Roman period when Lincoln was a town of the Coritani and may refer to the pool in the River Witham at the bottom of the hill ('Dark Pool'). As a comparitive reference, read "Lin - Dum" and compare with the Gaelic "Dub - Lin" meaning Black Pool in Ireland. Lincoln's Roman foundation was first constructed by the 9th Legion Hispania as their fortress in 65AD. After the 9th Legion moved north to York in 71, Lincoln continued to be occupied by the 2nd Legion Adiutrix who were stationed here until the Agricolan campaigns when they too were taken north. By this time (circa 80AD) the Legionary fortress may have been abandoned, but already a civilian settlement had grown and within the next decade veterans were settled here, who converted the legionary fortress into a fortified town. Domitian gave Lindum Colony status and therefore defined its future name (Lindum Colonia = Lincoln.) The principia of the fortress was pulled down to be replaced by a forum. The non-veteran populace (likely consisting mostly of natives) continued to live outside the fortress walls which were rebuilt and strengthened several times. This second settlement extended from the south walls of the fortress, down to the banks of the Witham and eventually recevied its own fortifications. While the colony declined to seom extent over the 5th century as the Roman road and administrative network failed, the importance of the trade on the Witham (which the Romans had linked to the Trent with a canal) assured the settlement's survival and the Norman establishment of Castle and Diocesian Cathedral ensured Lincoln's continuing importance.

Occupation:

The presence of veterans from a number of Legions make identification unsure as to whether an entire unit was stationed at Lincoln, or just a single officer from that unit. We know for sure that the 9th Legion Hispania constructed the first fortress here, and remained here for a few years, but were soon replaced with the 2nd Legion Adiutrix. It is quite likely that once the 2nd Legion had moved out to campaign under Agricola, Lincoln never again played host to a military unit. Other units attested here include the 14th Legion Gemina, the 6th Legion Victrix and the Ala II Asturum. The 6th were based at York from their introduction into Britain until their withdrawal in the 5th century, so the appearance of the name is likely only to refer to a settled veteran on the 6th from York. Equally, the Ala II Asturum was brought to Britain during the creation of the Hadrianic frontier, and remained based in the north until the 5th century, so the likelihood of a settled veteran from the Ala is high. The 14th Legion were brought across for the invasion of Britain in 43AD, but were left stationed in Mancetter and used in campaigns from their base there until they were withdrawn to the east in 67. As such it is equally likely that the attestation of the 14th refers again to one veteran who settled here from Mancetter some time in that 24 year period.

Remains and Visit:

Lincoln does not, at first sight, appear to have a great deal of Roman remains above ground. I do know that there are a number of other sights that remain locked away in cellars and unvisitable (or often in churches which mysteriously remain shut at all times unless a service is actually in progress.) However, with the right guide material, a surprising amount of Lindum can be found. There are several town trails with leaflets available from Tourist Information, one of which covers the Roman sights quite thoroughly. Of the Legionary Fortress/upper Colonia walls two large sections of walls are visible, on Cecil Street and East Bight. There are signs of all 4 gates to this walled city. The most impressive and famous is the one known as the Newport Arch, which is the only Roman arch in Britain through which traffic still passes. Also, one tower of the east gate remains preserved in situ behind the cathedral and next to the Lincoln Hotel. A single stone from the base of the southern gate is visible below a lamp on Steep Hill, and the west gate was completely remodelled to serve as a gate into the castle, which it remains (though this is now entirely medieval masonry.) Of the other remains of the upper city, the so-called Mint Wall remains an impressively high late-Roman wall that formed part of the forum complex. Nearby, in Bailgate a series of circles in the tarmac mark the location of a huge colonnade in the forum. The other visible remains of same are a small grass-covered set of walls that consist of part of the forum walling and a Roman well strengthened with arches. Several sections of the wall of the lower city have been found, but only one has been preserved for public viewing. Beneath the council building is an impressive stretch of these walls, with the only gate to the lower city to have been found. In addition to this, a mosaic has been preserved in the cloister of the cathedral, a piece of original aqueduct piping in a glass case in the foyer of Waitrose on Nettleham Road, and the musuem/gallery known as 'the Collection' behind the Usher Gallery, has a number of Roman finds, including another mosaic preserved in situ. All in all, Lincoln is a lovely city to explore at any rate and contains enough Roman material to make for a very enjoyable day out.

Images:

Newport Arch	East Gate	North Wall	North Wall	Mint Wall
Forum	Lower city wall	Mosaic	Wall painting	Aqueduct