near Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Owned by

The Bath's Basilica c. 160 AD & today

UNDER RECONSTRUCTION

Completion date: Summer 2005

One of the lesser known, yet fourth largest, Romano-British cities, Wroxeter has an incredible history. Having began its 'life' as a city in 96 AD it went on to outlive many of its 'siblings', not being finally abandoned until the beginning of the 7th. Century - 200 years after the Romans had left these isles.

Viriconium was a civitas: one of the tribal administrative centres. In this case for the Cornovii tribe whose territory covered what is now Shropshire, Cheshire, part of Staffordshire, part of Herefordshire, part of Merseyside, Wrexham, Flintshire and part of Powys . This  marvellous city may have been built with the blessing and help of  their Roman masters but it was lived in, paid for  and ran by the Britons of the region.  (The Romans knew how to subdue their subjects: give them all the trappings of the 'civilised ' world and they'll leave you in peace... or so they thought).

The Baths Courtyard as seen from the shop's entrance - 'Now & Then' (c. 160 AD). The ruins in the photograph differ because these are of the later extension to the baths.

We will be visiting the city's Public Bath Complex on the day it was opened in 160 AD (the actual date is not known). You will be one of the 'dignitaries' allowed a sneak preview to the brand new facilities before they were opened to the general public. You'll see the cathedral sized exercise  hall - basilica thermae: The first stop to work up a sweat before entering the baths. Since our baths will not quite be complete for the tour, you'll move on to visit the courtyard with its swimming pool (natatio). It's a good job we're visiting at this time as this pool didn't last very long... probably because of the British weather!

(It is incredible to think that this particular type of bath complex was the forerunner to those later built in Rome. This shouldn't come too much as a surprise to us as Rome did take many of the ideas it's credited for from other places or civilisations: their architecture from the Greeks and Etruscans and baths and a great portion of their empire from the Carthaginians).

The Empire had been in a relatively peaceful state, although in Britannia it was having quite a bit of trouble with the Caledonian tribes in what is now Scotland. Antonius Pius was emperor: the fourth of the "5 Good Emperors" - although the early Christian didn't see any good in them. The adopted son of Hadrian, he'd followed his lead by not expanding the empire but containing it and defending its frontiers. It is he whom the Antonine Wall in Scotland is named after and he who had instigated the retaking of it as well as new work to Hadrian's Wall. He would only have one more year to live before being replaced by his adopted son, Marcus Aurelius: the Emperor made known to the world through the film Gladiator.

As seen from the southern end of the portico looking northeast - 'Now & Then' (c. 160 AD). These outside pools (natatio) weren't popular in Britain and this one didn't last long.

Viriconium had not only finished its new public baths but had extended its boundary and set up new defences. This was a prosperous city that may have benefited  from it's dealings with the Romans and, possibly, from a large loan Hadrian had said didn't need repaying! It was a city living the Roman ideal but with a local flavour. (Civitates were allowed to use local laws as well as Roman ones and even collect their own taxes for certain purposes).  Its territorial size, fertile agricultural land, mines and salt deposits may have made it the perfect supplier for the large Roman legions based at Deva (Chester) and elsewhere in its territory.

It does remain somewhat of an enigma to archaeologists who still can't quite understand how a successful Romanised city could exist in, what appears to be, an un-Romanised countryside: the only one of its kind in Britain. There are varying theories to explain this but none have yet come to the fore. The fact remains: Viriconium was doing well even if the rest of its populous wasn't behind it.

Seen from the shop's entrance, looking north to the basilica  - 'Now & Then' (c. 160 AD). The visiting Roman soldiers are from the XXth. Legion at Deva (Chester). Their costumes are not correct for this period and will soon change.

There are many surprises in store on this journey besides the visual ones. You'll learn about Wroxeter's incredible history up until the arrival of the Angles and its links to the historical Arthur and its possible siting of Pengwern - that historic Welsh kingdom and home to its hero, Cynddylan. As with 'The Berth' Virtual Vistas' tour, there will be links to many other related sites.

As time goes on the tour will expand as we not only reconstruct the bath's interior but also the nearby forum and temple complex. Once again we will be using all the techniques available to us - photographs, CGI stills, QuickTime VR's, QuickTime animations and articles -  to bring you another unique experience to show you Viriconium Cornoviorum at its height.  (Clicking on each red, underlined title will open an example. The animation will take a few minutes to download).

Looking from the basilica doorway out to the palaestra (exercise yard). Slightly different angle between photo and reconstruction.

In-the-meantime, why not read our 'Viriconium Article' so you'll be well informed before you begin your journey and take a look at the Wroxeter 'Now & Then' Image Gallery - to see the full size versions of the images above -  and Test QuickTime VR's - for a 360 degree experience. (both require MEMBERSHIP of Virtually Historical).