It is an interesting feature in fortified camps of the Fourth Century in Germany, as at Alzei, Eining and Deutz, that the camp-buildings are placed close up to the ramparts instead of centrally as in the First and Second Centuries; and MARGIDUNUM is no exception to this general rule, for I found a building of late date close up to the western wall. Owing to the state of the crops at the time I was only able to explore a few rooms, and I had to defer the complete examination to a later date, but the building appears to stand partly on the site of the old bath-house, and to be constructed from its materials. The floors are composed of fine pink concrete (opus signinum) and were much encumbered by fragments of wall-plaster, of which I was able to restore a portion showing vertical bands and zones of red, orange and green (Plate III.). On the floor of one room I found a coin of Valens (370 A.D.) in mint condition and a piece of imitation "Samian" with the impressed "daisy" pattern, which is so characteristic of Fourth Century sites such as Pevensey. But the floors were in a ruinous condition, owing to their having been built over the old outer ditches, and they had in consequence cracked and foundered. The internal walls had been for the most part made of lath and plaster with a ¼-round fillet of cement at their junction with the floor, as in late buildings at Wroxeter and elsewhere.
PLATE XXIII. Roofing slates of a late building.
The roof consisted of thick slates, probably from Charnwood Forest, which (as the nail-holes showed) would be arranged in diamond pattern (Plate XXIII.). It is a noteworthy fact that slates were only used in the late phase of the Roman occupation of MARGIDUNUM; in the earlier days tiles (flange and ridge tiles) were the only form of roofing.
A great change had taken place in the art of defence between the First and the Fourth Century. In the First Century more reliance was placed on having a number of outer ditches in front of a wooden palisade backed with earth and this no doubt was very effective in stopping the sudden rush of wild tribes; at that time the Roman legions preferred to advance in the open against the enemy instead of acting only on the defensive. But in the later period the defenders felt safer behind a massive stone wall with a single wide ditch. The old ditches of MARGIDUNUM had been filled up; the marshy area near the springs had been gradually turned into dry land by dumping rubbish and big stones, and was now gravelled over (a coin of Magnentius, 350 A.D., with the Chi-Rho symbol lay on this gravel).
There were no signs of conflagration in this late building and it would seem as if MARGIDUNUM fell into decay and became deserted just like Silchester, Wroxeter and other places. It was certainly never occupied by the Saxons, and has remained deserted to the present day. It is perhaps possible that this gradual decay may have been due to depopulation owing to plague, which greatly extended its ravages at this time. Indeed Gildas records a severe pestilence (probably about the year 445 A.D.) following a widespread famine, and the success of the Angles and Saxons in occupying England and imposing their language on our island, in sharp contrast to the march of events in Gaul, where Latin continued to hold its own, may have been due to their finding a practically empty land.
| A. List of Potters1 Stamps on Terra Sigillata. | |
| Claudius period: | of) BASS (i on Form 27 |
| OF FELI on Form 27 | |
| MASCVLVS on Form 33 | |
| vapv)SONIS on Form 15 | |
| Nero period : | PRIMI M(a on Form 29 |
| PRIMVLI on Form 18 | |
| OF RVFINI on Form 27 | |
| OF RVFNI on Form 18 | |
| VERECV on Form 27 | |
| VERV on Form 27 | |
| Vespasian period : | OF CALV(i on Form 15 |
| OF CEN on Form 18 | |
| LOGIRN(i on Form 18 | |
| MEDDILLVS on Form 29 | |
| MOMI on Form 33 | |
| PASSENI on Form 18 | |
| OF PATRIC on Form 18 | |
| SASMO on Form 33 | |
| SECVNDINI on Form 18 | |
| OF SEV(eri on Form 18 | |
| OF VITA on Form 27 | |
| Domitian period : | BIRAGILLI MA on Form 18 |
| PATERCLOS on Form 27 | |
| REGVLI MA on Form 33 | |
| TALVSSA on Form 33 | |
| TASG(illi m on Form 18 | |
| Trajan period : | COBNERTI M on Form 31 |
| CATVS ( . . on Form 18 | |
| don)NAVCI on Form 27 | |
| FELI(cio on Form 18 | |
| MOXI (ma on Form 31 | |
| REBVRRI OFF on Form 33 | |
| SACRI M(a on Form 33 | |
| SECVNDINI M on Form 33 | |
| Hadrian period : | ARICI MA on Form 33 |
| CASV(rivs on Inkpot | |
| DOIICCI OF on Form 38 | |
| ELVILLI on Form 33 | |
| PRIVATI M on Form 33 | |
| Antonine period : | ALBVCI on Forms 33 and 37 |
| CALIITV on Form 33 | |
| CINNAMI on Form 30 | |
| CINNAMI M on Form 30 | |
| CVNISSA F on Form 31 | |
| DIVICATVS on Form 33 | |
| ESCVSI M on Forms 31 and 33 | |
| MAINACN on Form 38 | |
| VICTORINVS F on Form 31 | |
| Late Antonine period: FELICIO on Form 33 | |
B. Coins of Margidunum.1
CLAUDIUS (41-54 A.D.)
Middle brass; found in Ditch 10 at 3 feet (H 213)
Obverse-TI CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG P M TR P IMP. Bare head to left.
Reverse—S C. Pallas helmeted, standing to right, hurling a javelin and holding a shield. 41 A.D. Cohen 87.
NERO (54-68 A.D.).
Large brass; two specimens, one much corroded, both in black earth on a skerry pavement above a slag-pit (H 69) at 1½ feet.
Obverse—NERO CLAVD CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P. Youthful bare head to right.
Reverse—GENIO AVGVSTI S C. Genius standing to left near a lighted altar, holding a patera in the right hand and a cornucopia. Cohen 135.
Large brass; in lowest layer of Via principalis (D 6) at 2 feet.
Obverse—NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVG GER P M TR P IMP PP. Head, laureate, to left.
Reverse—PACE P R TERRA MARI Q PARTA IANVM CLVSIT S C. Temple of Janus closed, with gate to left. Cohen 153.
Large brass; in charcoal layer (3¾ feet) in Western Outer Ditch 3. Much corroded, only NERO decipherable.
GALBA (68-69 A.D.)
Denarius, probably struck by Vindex; in lowest layer of S.W. area (B 8) at 2¼ feet.
Obverse—SALVS GENERIS HVMANI. Victory to left, standing on a globe, holding a wreath and a palm.
Reverse—S.P.Q.R. in a wreath of oak-leaves. Cohen 275.
VESPASIAN (69-79 A.D.).
Middle brass; in dog-pit (G 48) in northern ditch of Via Quintana, at 2 feet.
Obverse—IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG. Head, laureate, to right.
Reverse—COS ITER FORT RED S C. Fortune standing to left, holding a prow and a cornucopia. 70 A.D. Cohen 265.
Middle brass ; two specimens, one above a drain (J 82) at 3 feet; the other, much corroded, 20 yards E., over skerry pavement (F 79a), at 1½ feet.
Obverse—IMP CAESAR VESPASIAN AVG COS III. Head, laureate, to right.
Reverse—S C. Front view of eagle with outspread wings, on a globe, head turned to right. 71 A.D. Cohen 446.
Middle brass; in Ditch 9 (A 22) of road leading to S.W. angle, at 2 feet.
Obverse—IMP CAES VE(SP AVG COS . . . Head, laureate, to right.
Reverse—AEQVITAS AVGVSTVS. Equity standing to left, holding spear in left hand and balance in right hand. Cohen 238-248.
DOMITIAN (81-96 A.D.)
Middle brass, much corroded; under late skerry pavement (H 10) at 1 foot.
Obverse—IMP CAES DOMIT AVG) GERM COS XI (CENS POT) PP. Head, laureate, to right.
Reverse—obliterated.
Middle brass ; in clay-sealing of a shallow pit (J 149), between the Via principalis and the Via Quintana, at 1 foot.
Obverse—IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XI CENS PER PP. Bust, laureate, to right, with aegis.
Reverse—SA(LVTI AVGVSTI) S C. Great altar. 85 A.D. Cohen 411.
Middle brass ; just below gravel and skerry pavement (G 10), at 2 feet, just north of Via Quintana.
Obverse—IMP CAES) DOMIT AVG GERM COS XII CENS PER PP. Bust, laureate, to right, with aegis.
Reverse—IOVI CONS(ERVAT) S C. Jupiter standing to left, semi-nude, holding a thunderbolt and sceptre. 86 A.D. Cohen 362.
Middle brass ; in southern ditch of Principia (XV 2), at 1 foot.
Obverse—IMP CAES DOMIT AVG GERM COS XIIII (CENS P)ER PP. Bust, radiate, to right, with aegis.
Reverse—VIRTVTI AVGVSTI S C. Valour helmeted, standing to right, his foot on a helmet, holding a parazonium and a spear. 88 or 89 A.D. Cohen 558.
Middle brass; two specimens, much corroded, only the head recognisable, in the S.W. area, at 3 feet (A 8), and at 2¾ feet (A 9).
NERVA (96-98 A.D.).
Middle brass, much corroded ; below gravel at 1½ feet (G 24), just north of the Via Quintana. Another specimen much corroded, in slag-pit (H 58) at 3 feet, just north of S. rampart.
Obverse—IMP) NERVA (AVG P M TR P. Bust, laureate, to right.
Reverse—IVSTITIA) AVG(VST) S C. Justice seated, to right, holding a branch and sceptre. Cohen 102.
HADRIAN (117-138 A.D.).
Large brass; in gravel of the Via Principalis, next the Fosse Way, at 2½ feet (D 116).
Obverse—IMP CAESAR TRAIAN HADRIAN AVG. Bust, laureate, to right.
Reverse—PONT MAX TR POT COS III S C. Peace standing to left, holding a caduceus and a cornucopia. Cohen 1038.
AELIUS (136-138 A.D.).
Middle brass; in stable (?) at 3 feet (H 210), between the Via Quintana and the southern rampart.
Obverse—L AELIVS CAESAR. Bare head to right.
Reverse—TR POT COS II S C. Hope walking to left, a flower in her hand, and holding up her robe. Cohen 58.
ANTONINUS PIUS (138-161 A.D.).
Large brass ; in clay-sealing of north ditch of the Via Principalis, near Fosse Way (D 102) at 3 feet.
Obverse—ANTONINVS) AVG PIVS PP TR P. Head, laureate, to right.
Reverse—COS III S C. Health standing to left, feeding a serpent twined round an altar, and holding a rudder placed on a globe. 140-143 A.D. Cohen 521.
MARCUS AURELIUS (161-180 A.D.)
Large brass; in upper part of south ditch of Principia, at 2 feet. (XV. 2).
Obverse—M ANTONINVS AVG GERM SARM TR P. Head, radiate and draped, to right.
Reverse—IMP Villi COS III PP S C. Winged thunderbolt. 177 A.D. Cohen 558.
LUCILLA (180-183 A.D.)
Large brass; in upper part of south ditch of Principia, at 2 feet (XV 2), adhering to the last coin.
Obverse—LVCILLAE AVG ANTONINI AVG F. Bust to right.
Reverse—CONCORDIA S C. Concord seated to left, holding a patera and a double cornucopia. Cohen 44.
GALLIENUS (254-268 A.D.).
Billon; in gravel layer at If feet (J 70), between the Via Principalis and the Via Quintana, near the Fosse Way.
Obverse—GALLIENVS AVG. Bust, radiate, to right.
Reverse—(AEQUITAS AVG). In field C. Equity standing to left, holding a balance and a cornucopia. Cohen 34.
VICTORINUS (265-267 A.D.).
Billon; above a clay layer at 1 foot (A 169) near south rampart in east field.
Obverse—IMP C VICTORINVS. Bust, radiate and draped, to right.
Reverse—SALVS AVG. Hygeia standing to right, nursing a serpent in her arms. Cohen 67.
TETRICUS SENIOR (268-273 A.D.).
Small brass; in Third Century well (R) at 7 feet.
Obverse—IMP) C TETRICVS (P F AVG. Bust, radiate and draped, to right.
Reverse—P(AX AVG. Peace standing to left, holding an olive branch and vertical sceptre. Cohen 84.
TETRICUS JUNIOR (268-273 A.D.)
Small brass; in second outer ditch at S.W. angle at 2\ feet. (A 3).
Obverse—Q PIV ESV TETRICVS CAES. Bust, radiate and draped, to right.
Reverse—(VIRTVS AVG). Helmeted soldier standing to left, leaning on a shield and holding a spear. Cohen 57.
CLAUDIUS GOTHICUS (269-270 A.D.).
Middle brass; in upper layer at 1½ feet (AC), at S.W. angle of camp.
Obverse—IMP C CLAVDIVS AVG. Head, radiate to right.
Reverse—VICTORIA AVG. Victory standing to left, with wreath in her right hand. Cohen 209.
CLAUDIUS TACITVS (275-276 A.D.).
Middle brass; in upper part of Via Principalis at 1 foot. (D 6), near the Fosse Way.
Obverse—IMP CM CL TACITVS AVG. Bust, radiate and draped, to right.
Reverse—FELICITAS AVG S C. Felicity standing, facing with patera and caduceus. Cohen 48.
CARAUSIUS (287-293 A.D.)
Small brass; under upper skerry pavement at 1 foot (H 10), to north of south rampart.
Obverse—IM)P CARAVSIVS (P F AVG. Bust, radiate and draped, to right.
Reverse—PAX AVG. Peace standing to left, holding an olive-branch and a sceptre. Cohen 166.
Small brass; in Third Century well (R) at 7 feet.
Obverse—IMP CARAVSIVS P F AVG. Bust, radiate and draped.
Reverse—PAX VAG (for AVG). Peace standing to left, holding an olive-branch and vertical sceptre. In field F O. In exergue ML, minted in London.
ALLECTVS (294-297 A.D.).
Small brass ; in late ditch of road from Via Quintana to S.W. angle at 1½ feet (G 78).
Obverse—IMP C ALLECTVS P AVG. Bust, radiate, to right, with cuirass.
Reverse—VIRTVS AVG. Sailing ship with 7 oars. In exergue QC. Cohen 64.
CONSTANTINE I (307-337 A.D.).
Small brass; north of south rampart, east field, at 1 foot. (A 37).
Obverse—CONSTANTINVS MAX (AVG. Bust, diademed and draped, to right.
Reverse—GLORIA EXER(CITVS. Two soldiers, helmeted, standing, each holding a spear and leaning on a shield ; between them a military standard, crowned with a flag decorated with the Chi-Rho. 333-337 A.D. Cohen 314.
Middle brass ; north of south rampart, east field, at 2¾ feet. (A 9).
Obverse—CONSTANTINVS NOB CAES. Bust, laureate and draped, to right.
Reverse—PRINCIPI IVVENTVT. Constantine in military dress, standing left, holding two standards. 307 A.D. Cohen 407.
Small brass ; over south ditch of Principia, near Fosse Way, at 1 foot (D 3).
Obverse—CONSTANTINVS AVG. Bust, diademed and draped, to right.
Reverse—GLORIA EXERCITVS. Two soldiers standing, each holding a spear and leaning on a shield; between them two military standards, with flags decorated with wreaths. Cohen 316.
CRISPVS (317-326 A.D.).
Small brass ; in building south of Via Principalis, at feet. (J 126).
Obverse—CRISPVS NOB CAES. Head, laureate, to right.
Reverse—CAESARUM NOSTRORVM round a laurel-wreath, within which is VOT V. Cohen 53.
CONSTANTINE II. (337-340 A.D.).
Small brass; in outer ditch 5 (south of camp) under gravel, at 1 foot.
Obverse—CONSTANTINVS IVN NOB C. Bust, laureate, to right, with cuirass.
Reverse—GLORIA EXERCITVS. Two helmeted soldiers standing, facing each other, each holding a spear and leaning on a shield ; between them two military standards with a palm branch. In exergue P CONST. ; minted at Aries. Cohen 139.
CONSTANS I. (337-350 A.D.).
Small brass ; in Via Principalis, near Fosse Way, at 1 foot. (D 9).
Obverse—CONSTANS P F AVG. Bust, diademed and draped to right.
Reverse—GLORIA EXERCITVS. Two helmeted soldiers standing, facing each other, each holding a reversed spear and leaning on a shield ; between them a military standard with letter M. In exergue TRS ; minted at Treves. Cohen 134.
Small brass, cracked and much corroded; north of south rampart, east field, at feet. (A 164).
Obverse—DN CON(STANS P) F AVG. Bust, diademed and draped, holding a globe, to right.
Reverse—FEL) TEMP REP(ARATIO. Constans standing left, bareheaded and in military dress, holding a labarum and leaning on a shield; before him two prisoners, kneeling. Cohen 116.
CONSTANTIUS II. (336-361 A.D.).
Small brass; in Via Principalis, near Fosse Way, at 1 foot. (D 104).
Obverse—FL IVL CONSTANTIVS NOB C. Bust, laureate and draped, with cuirass, to right.
Reverse—PROVIDENTIAE CAESS. Open gate of camp with two towers ; above it a star. Cohen 253.
MAGNENTIUS (350-353 A.D.).
Middle brass; outer ditch 5, south of camp, on gravel, at 1 foot.
Obverse—D N MAGNENTIVS P F AVG. Bust, draped, to right.
Reverse—SALVS DD NN AVG ET CAES. Large Chi-Rho with Alpha and small Omega. In exergue AMB ; minted at Amiens. Cohen 43.
DECENTIUS (351-353 A.D.).
Middle brass; S.W. angle of camp, at 1 foot. (AA 14).
Obverse—D N DECENTIVS NOB CAES. Bust, draped, to right.
Reverse—VICTO(RIAE DD NN AVG ET CAES. Two winged Victories standing, holding a wreath in which VOT V MVLT X is inscribed. In exergue AMB ; minted at Amiens. Cohen 33.
VALENS (364-378 A.D.).
Small brass in good condition ; on floor of western house (G 109), at 1 foot.
Obverse—D N VALENS P F AVG. Bust, diademed and draped, to right.
Reverse—SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE. Victory walking to left and holding a wreath and a palm. Cohen 72.
VALENTINIAN II. (383-392 A.D.).
Small brass; in Via Principalis, near Fosse Way, at 1 foot.
(D 19). Another specimen, much corroded, north of south rampart, east field at 1 foot. (A 125).
Obverse—D N VALENT)INIANVS (IVN PF) AVG. Bust, diademed and draped, to right.
Reverse—SECVRITAS REIP(VBLICAE. Victory walking to left, holding a wreath and a palm. In field : A. Cohen 47.
EUGENIUS (392-394 A.D.).
Silver siliqua; on south rampart, east field at 1 foot (T 1).
Obverse—D N EVGENIVS P F AVG. Bust, diademed and draped, to right.
Reverse—VICTO)RIA AVGVST(ORVM. In field TR.
Victory walking to left, holding a wreath and a palm. Cohen 5.
(1) The references to Cohen are to the first edition of his "Medailles Imperiales." The references in brackets, e.g., (H 213), are to the numbered 6-foot squares in which the areas of excavation are divided.