Y Gaer
| Y Gaer Latin: Cicucium | |
|
Brecknockshire | |
|---|---|
 Remains of the Roman fort | |
| Type: | Roman fort |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | SO00332966 |
| Location: | 51°57’23"N, 3°27’6"W |
| History | |
| Information | |
| Owned by: | Cadw |
Y Gaer (Latin: Cicucium) is the site of a Roman fort in Brecknockshire, near modern-day Brecon. It is believed to have been known to the Romans as Cicucium. The modern name simply means "The Fort".
History
Cicucium was built around AD 75 and sits on a crossroads of Roman roads in the valley of the River Usk at a strategic point linking the coastal plain with the valleys of the Cambrian Mountains. It was part of a chain of similar forts, such as Gobannium at Abergavenny, a day's march away down the Usk valley, and larger bases, such as Moridunum (Carmarthen) by way of Alabum (Llandovery), Cardiff to the south and Isca Augusta (Caerleon}, the main base for the Roman legion locally.[1]
The site was excavated in the 1920s by Sir Mortimer Wheeler, a prominent archaeologist of his day.
The fort was built for a contingent of up to 500 cavalrymen, recruited originally in Spain from the Vettones, and these Vettonian cavalry would have played a significant part in the conquest of the area held by the Silures.
Their early stables were wooden and their accommodation basic, protected by clay banks topped with a wooden palisade. This was rebuilt in the 2nd century AD by the Legio II Augusta and also shows signs of being repaired again in the 4th century.
Y Gaer Today
The site is in the care of Cadw. It lies on private farmland and Cadw provides no signposting to the site, which lies on the further side of the farm buildings at the end of the approach lane.
Visitors can see remnants of stone walls standing in parts to some ten feet in height, part of three gatehouses and corner guard towers. Several artifacts have been removed to local museums, such as a tombstone of a young cavalryman called Candidus, held at Brecknock Museum in Brecon.[2]
Outside links
References
- ↑ "A short guide to Brecon Gaer Roman Fort". Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust. http://www.cpat.org.uk/educate/guides/brecgaer/brecgaer.htm. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
- ↑ "The Maiden stone from Brecon Gaer (Roman fort), 1809". Gathering the Jewels. peoplescollectionwales.co.uk. http://www.peoplescollectionwales.co.uk/Item/11078-the-maiden-stone-from-brecon-gaer-roman-fort. Retrieved 2 February 2013.