SILCHESTER (Calleva Atrebatum)		Quality of Remains
		Ease of Access
		Atmosphere & Setting

History & Occupation:

The latin name of this site translates as the 'Wood of the Atrebates', the local tribe in Hampshire. During the invasion of 43 AD, the Atrebates under their King Cogidubnus, were allies of the invaders, with Cogidubnus as a client-king. It is this special relationship between the tribe and the Romans that led to early prosperity and growth for Calleva. It was early given the role of Tribal capital and acquired the great public buildings of a Roman city very early. The amphitheatre was added in thr Flavian period and all public buildings were upgraded in the 2nd century, with those in wood being reconstructed in stone. In the 3rd century a powerful stone wall was constructed around the city. Later in the 3rd century, fire destroyed much of Calleva, particularly as much of the periphery was still constructed of wood. Excavated evidence from the city shows signs of some decline from the 4th century onwards and some time by the early 6th century the location had been entirely abandoned, with a small village growing on the moden site a mile or two distant. Nothing as yet has ever been found to explain the abandonment of Calleva.

Remains and Visit:

Despite the fact that almost all of the open fields that constitute the interior of the city have been excavated at one time or another, nothing has been left exposed within the town for visitors. However, the walls maintain a complete circuit. Though the facing stones are almost all gone, the rubble core of the wall stands in places to an impressive height and Silchester remains the only Roman city in britain with a complete set of walls. Moreover, just outside the walls lie the remains of an amphitheatre, one of the earliest in Britain. A small museum nearby holds very little but explanatory photographs and maps, the majority of finds being held in the museum at Reading. Everything I have read of Silchester says that it is enchanting to visit. I can imagine this is true on a balmy summer's day. On a gray day in early January, however, it does not have the expected atmosphere. Be prepared for a long walk with little but rubble-core to show for it.

Images:

Southeast walls	North gate	Amphitheatre