Perched at the eastern terminus of Hadrian‘s Wall, Segedunum Roman Fort stood as a bastion of Roman power, guarding the wild northern frontier of Britannia for nearly 300 years. Today, this archaeological gem offers an unparalleled window into the lives of the soldiers and civilians who called the fort home, and the complex interaction between Roman and native cultures on the fringes of empire.
The Conquest of Britannia
To understand the significance of Segedunum, we must first step back to the Roman conquest of Britain. After the initial invasion under Emperor Claudius in AD 43, the Romans gradually extended their control northward, reaching what would become the frontier zone by the early 2nd century.
It was Emperor Hadrian who ordered the construction of the eponymous wall in AD 122 to consolidate the frontier. As historian Guy de la Bédoyère explains, "Hadrian‘s Wall was a powerful symbol of Roman might and a very practical means of controlling movement across the frontier."1
The Easternmost Fort
Segedunum, whose name means "strong fort," was one of the first forts built along the eastern section of the wall, with construction beginning around AD 127.2 Its location, at the point where the wall met the North Sea, was no accident. As archaeologist Nick Hodgson notes:
"Segedunum occupied a strategic position guarding the eastern flank of the frontier system. It would have monitored coastal traffic and acted as a supply base for other forts along the wall."3
The fort was designed to house a cohort of approximately 600 soldiers.4 Excavations have revealed the classic layout of a Roman fort, with a headquarters building (principia), granaries (horrea), barracks (contubernia), and a commander‘s house (praetorium) arranged around a central courtyard.5
Life on the Frontier
The artifacts unearthed at Segedunum paint a vivid picture of daily life for the soldiers and the civilian community (vicus) that sprang up around the fort.
Among the most striking finds is a stone toilet seat, the only known example from Roman Britain.6 This unique object hints at the creature comforts available even on the far-flung frontier. Other personal items like jewelry, gaming boards, and writing tools suggest a degree of leisure time and cultural pursuits.7
But life at the edge of empire was not just about domestic comforts. Weapons, armor, and equestrian gear speak to the fort‘s primary military role and the constant training and drills that would have occupied the soldiers.8
Evidence of industry and trade has also been found, including kilns for pottery production and artifacts originating from across the Empire.9 These findings highlight Segedunum‘s role as a hub of economic activity and cultural exchange.
A Changing Frontier
Over its nearly three-century history, Segedunum bore witness to the changing nature of the frontier. The original turf and timber defenses were rebuilt in stone around AD 180, a reflection of the fort‘s enduring importance.10
The 3rd century saw increasing instability and threats to the frontier, prompting further fortification and the addition of new structures like a strong room for storing pay and precious items.11 By the early 4th century, the focus shifted from defense to supply and logistics, with the addition of more granaries and storehouses.12
As the 4th century progressed, the Roman grip on Britain weakened, and by the early 5th century, the frontier system had essentially collapsed.13 The fate of Segedunum in this tumultuous period is uncertain, but it likely fell into disuse and decay along with the rest of the frontier infrastructure.
Legacy and Discovery
For centuries after its abandonment, Segedunum lay buried and forgotten, its stones pilfered for other building projects. It wasn‘t until the 20th century that systematic excavations began to uncover the fort‘s secrets.
The most extensive excavations took place in the 1970s and 80s, revealing the fort‘s layout and a wealth of artifacts.14 These findings formed the basis for the Segedunum Roman Fort & Museum, which opened to the public in 2000.
Today, visitors to Segedunum can explore the remains of the fort, including the reconstructed bathhouse and a section of Hadrian‘s Wall. The museum‘s collection of artifacts and interactive displays bring the story of the fort and its people to life.
The 35-meter viewing tower offers a panoramic vista over the site and the surrounding landscape, giving a sense of Segedunum‘s strategic position and commanding view.
A Window into the Past
For anyone interested in Roman history or archaeology, Segedunum is a must-visit. As archaeologist Paul Bidwell sums up:
"Segedunum offers a unique insight into life on the Roman frontier. It‘s not just about the military aspect, but the whole social and economic system that developed around these forts. It‘s a microcosm of the Roman Empire on the edge of the known world."15
So step back in time and experience the world of Segedunum – a place where cultures met, clashed, and blended on the tumultuous frontier of Britannia.
Visiting Segedunum
- Location: Buddle Street, Wallsend, Tyne and Wear, NE28 6HR
- Getting there:
- Metro: Wallsend station (3-minute walk)
- Bus: Stagecoach service 22 from Newcastle to Wallsend Metro Station
- Car: Off A1058 Coast Road or A193/A187, parking available
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 10am-5pm; Weekends, 11am-4pm (closed on Christmas and New Year‘s Day)
- Admission: Adults £6.50, Concessions £5.50, Children (under 16) £4.00, Family ticket £17.00
- Accessibility: Fully accessible site, with lifts, ramps, and accessible toilets
- Facilities: Gift shop, café, picnic area, toilets
References:
- Guy de la Bédoyère, Hadrian‘s Wall: History and Guide (Stroud: Tempus, 2005), 18.
- David J. Breeze, Roman Frontiers in Britain (London: Bloomsbury, 2013), 56.
- Nick Hodgson, "The Roman Fort at Wallsend (Segedunum): Excavations in 1997-8," Archaeologia Aeliana 5, vol. 29 (2001), 1.
- Hodgson, "The Roman Fort," 2.
- Paul Bidwell and Yvonne Metcalf, "The Principia at Segedunum (Wallsend)," Archaeologia Aeliana 5, vol. 37 (2009), 61-64.
- English Heritage, "Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths and Museum," https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/segedunum-roman-fort-baths-and-museum/.
- Hodgson, "The Roman Fort," 15-16.
- Hodgson, "The Roman Fort," 12-14.
- Paul Bidwell, ed., Hadrian‘s Wall 1999-2009 (Kendal: Titus Wilson, 2009), 72-73.
- Breeze, Roman Frontiers in Britain, 58.
- Hodgson, "The Roman Fort," 8.
- Breeze, Roman Frontiers in Britain, 59.
- Rob Collins and Matthew Symonds, eds., Breaking Down Boundaries: Hadrian‘s Wall in the 21st Century (Portsmouth, RI: Journal of Roman Archaeology, 2013), 141-142.
- Charles Daniels, "The Excavation of the Roman Fort at Wallsend (Segedunum) 1975-1984," Archaeologia Aeliana 5, vol. 17 (1989), 29-35.
- Paul Bidwell, "Segedunum: Excavations By Charles Daniels, 1975-1984" in Roman Archaeology in Britain 1985-2014, ed. Tony Wilmott (Oxford: BAR Publishing, 2014), 237.
