Blatobulgium

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Birrens Castle
Alternative name a) Blatobulgium
b) Baltobulgio
limes Britain
section Line 2, Hadrian's Wall (outpost)
Dating (occupancy) 2nd to 3rd century AD
Type Cohort fort
unit a) Legio XX  ?,
b) Legio VI  ?,
c) Cohors I Nervana Germanorum ,
d) Cohors II Tungrorum
size 1.32 - 2.1 ha
Construction Wood and peat tiles,
square plant
with rounded corners
State of preservation heavily eroded
parts of the north wall and trenches
still visible above ground
place Birrens
Geographical location 55 ° 3 '53.7 "  N , 3 ° 13' 27.9"  W Coordinates: 55 ° 3 '53.7 "  N , 3 ° 13' 27.9"  W. hf
Previous Castra Exploratorum to the southeast
Fortresses North Great Britain.png
Coin portrait of Hadrian
Findings sketch of the Antonine fort with interior structures, the building in the middle are the Principia
View of the fort area and the remains of the western wall
Minting (As) of Claudius in honor of the Legio V Alaudae and Legio VIII Augusta
Sketch of the Fortuna consecration stone

Blatobulgium ( Birrens or Birrens Fort , also Birrenwork Fort ) was a Roman fort in Scotland (Caledonia) in County Dumfries-Shire (Council Dumfries and Galloway ). It was one of the forts used to secure Hadrian's Wall. In the vicinity, the remains of four, only temporarily used, Roman marshals were discovered, there were other, only briefly used camps some distance away.

Location and function

The fort is located in the Central Lowlands , north of Bowness-on-Solway, 2.5 kilometers east of Ecclefechan in the parish of Middlebie. The area was never built over in a modern way and can therefore still be clearly identified in the area. Nothing is visible from the south wall today, if you approach the fort area from the south, you can still easily see the remains of the northern fortifications of the fort, which stretch behind a gorse-covered embankment above the river bank.

Located north of Hadrian's Wall , it served as an observation post and to monitor a Roman road that led from Carlisle / Luguvalium into southern Scotland and east to Rutupiae . The fort was located in the tribal area of ​​the Selgovaen and thus in a crucial strategic position, which made it possible to control the apron at the western end of Hadrian's Wall and thus also the coast of the Solway Firth. The wall is the most famous fortification of the Limes Britannicus .

Surname

The ancient name of the fort, Blatobulgium , probably means “flower hill” or “flour sack”. It can be found in the Antonini Itinerarium from the 2nd century AD. a. means:

": ... on the route from the entrenchments to the port of Rutupiae , 481 milia passum ...",

d. H. 481 Roman miles from Hadrian's Wall to Richborough on the English Channel in what is now the County of Kent. According to the Itinerarium, Blatobulgio was about twelve Roman miles from Castra Exploratorum ( Netherby , Cumbria ), also a base that was still in the Lowlands.

The current place name Birrens may also have a causal connection with the fort or a Celtic hill fortress (so-called Hill fort). This name occurs quite often in different variants (Birren, Burran, Burrance, Burian) in this region and denotes mostly fortified settlements, 14 of them in Dumfries-Shire alone. The origin of the word itself could be derived from the Irish boirean , pronounced "burran", which means "big rock" or "stony, rocky place". It is more likely, however, that it comes from the Anglo-Saxon word byrgene or byigen for “grave site, monument” or “burial mound” ( tumulus ) .

Research history

Most of the fort has been explored today. Individual inscription finds have been known since the 18th century. The first report about the fort comes from its discoverer Alexander Gordon. He describes the complex as rectangular, fortified by four ditches and earth walls. Part of it was torn away from the river (Water of Mein-and Haughill Burn). He also found hollowed-out long rectangular stone blocks, which were probably once part of a drainage channel for draining rainwater or groundwater. The remains of a vault could be seen on the south side of the area, probably the cellar of a larger building. Gordon also found a stone with an inscription that was badly weathered. The first systematic excavation was carried out by the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland , in the summer and fall of 1895. The most extensive investigations to date were initiated between 1960 and 1967.

During the excavations in Birrens u. a. Components of a ballista come to light that can probably be dated to the middle of the 2nd century. It is believed that the garrison was trained on these weapons, probably in a fort near Burnswark, which was in the immediate vicinity and served as a training camp. In addition, a large number of richly decorated South Gallic ceramics were recovered, all of which could be dated to the Antonine period, but ceramics from the Flavian period could not be proven.

Fort

The early fort, about 1.32 hectares in size, could have been founded under Gnaeus Iulius Agricola in the late 1st century, probably during his campaigns in Scotland. At the time of Hadrian (117-138 AD) it was enlarged to approx. 1.65 hectares, according to an undated inscription, possibly by soldiers of the Legio XX . Around 150 AD it was destroyed again by fire. Its successor building was rebuilt several times in 158 AD by the II. Tungrian cohort under Iulius Verus and enlarged to 2.1 hectares, possibly including a construction team from Legio VI Victrix stationed in Eboracum / York . The new buildings, however, were of poorer quality than their predecessors, but were used continuously until the late 2nd century. In contrast to the neighboring camps at High Rochester and Bewcastle, it was abandoned at the end of the 2nd century, probably around 184 AD. Epigraphic finds and coin finds suggest that it was again for a short time in the early 3rd century AD Period was occupied by Roman soldiers. The camp had a standard square floor plan with rounded corners, slightly shifted to the south-west in the north. The wall was broken through by a total of four gates. The fortifications were built exclusively using a wood-peat construction method; a later reinforcement by a stone wall in front could not be proven. The fort was also surrounded by up to six trenches. The southeast corner of the camp was washed away over the centuries by a nearby river, the Middlebie Burn. The extensive ditch system and the earth dam of a doorway can still be seen in the northern part, individual, scattered building blocks mark the position of the former west gate.

Interior constructions

Most of the remains of the interior buildings have been buried again today, with the exception of the south-east corner, where the remains of stone foundations can still be seen; they belong to buildings of the retentura (i.e. the rear part of the camp). The principia, the praetorium , team barracks as well as three storehouses ( horreum ) and - probably - also the remains of the camp hospital could be proven. In the fort of the Hadrianic period, almost all of the interior structures were made of wood, with the exception of the central buildings, which were built in stone.

garrison

The following units are known for Blatobulgium or have stayed there for a certain time:

Time position Troop name comment
1st century AD Only an inscription stone from Birrens names these two legions, which were only stationed on the island for a short period of time. It is known that August 8th accompanied Emperor Claudius during his two-week stay in Britain in AD 43 and then returned to the continent with him. It is also mentioned on a military diploma from Britain. About the activities of the XXII. Primigenia in Britain is otherwise unknown, but it is also mentioned on another inscription stone that was recovered from a previously unknown site in Scotland .
1st century AD Cohors Primae Nervana Germanorum milliaria equitata
("the first partially mounted cohort of the Germanic Nervii ") 		This unit was the first (by an inscription) in the early Canton of Blatobulgium verifiable garrison unit. It was a 1000-strong, mixed troop of infantry and horsemen. Their soldiers were recruited in the Gallia Belgica , in the area between the Meuse and Scheldt in the north and west of what is now Belgium. This unit donated a consecration altar for the goddess Fortuna and an altar for Jupiter . Another badly damaged altar stone also bears a dedication to this unit. This unit is also known from an altar stone from Aballava (Burgh-by-Sands, Cumbria) and an altar of Cocidius from Castra Exploratorum (Netherby, Cumbria) which is also based on another station, Fanum Cocidi (Bewcastle, Cumbria ), indicates.
1st to 2nd century AD Cohors secunda Tungrorum Millaria Equitata coram laudata
("the second partially mounted cohort of Tungrians, Roman citizens, 1000 strong, publicly praised") 		It is the second, reliably proven, unit for the Birrens fort and numbered around 1000 men. Originally, she was probably recruited from the Tungerer tribe , who at the time lived in eastern Belgium. The Tungrian cohort is mentioned on no fewer than nine inscriptions from the fort or its surroundings. The troops must have been stationed here for a long time before they were either worn out in battle or withdrawn and transferred to another location. During this time, the unit was repeatedly replenished by recruits from other tribes; many of them (e.g. Raeter ) are also mentioned in the inscriptions. Two alleged inscriptions from Birrens were also discovered in the Abbey of Hoddom, about 5 km away.

Marching camp

Four Roman marching camps were found around Birrens, two near Middlebie and the other two near Kirkpatrick-Fleming, not far from today's road, towards the south-east.

  • Birrens 1, Broadlee (? × 114 m),
  • Birrens 2, My Water (290 ×? M),
  • Birrens 3, Johnstone Hall (229 × 335 m, 18.9 hectares),
  • Birrens 4, (dimensions unknown)

Another Roman fortification was at Burnswark on Brunswark Hill across the road to the northwest.

Vicus

A geophysical survey in the northern area of ​​the fort in 1996 revealed the remains of a building with an inner courtyard, probably a hostel (mansio) . There is also evidence that the camp bath was outside the fortifications to the south on the banks of the river. Most of the traces of the vicus could be found north of the fort; Roman cultural layers were also found below the earth wall of the Antonine fort, right next to the area of ​​the Hadrianic fort. Further civil traces were also observed in the northwest of the area.

Some inscriptions from Birrens also mention civilians, such as B. the freedmen Celer and Flavia Baetica , wife of Bassus , a centurion of the Cohors II Tungorum , whose tombstone was set by his son Afutianus , who lived in the fort. A woman named Magunna (probably a local by name) donated an altar to Iupiter Dolichenus . Presumably she lived in the camp village. Furthermore, a man named Cistumucus is known who originally came from Locus Maponi , about 16 km west of Birrens, today's Lochmaben . There was a temple for the god Maponus (Cistumuci lo (co) Maboni) ; However, it is not entirely clear whether the mention of Maponus is only intended to indicate the origin of the founder or to name the deity as the beneficiary. Cistumucus may have been a local trader. The grave fields that are certainly also present here have not yet been located.

Temple precinct

A plan from 1793 shows a somewhat higher enclosure (annexes) west of the fort. Soil surveys carried out in 1939 revealed a total of two areas surrounded by double trenches. Similar to the fort, this complex probably went through several construction phases. During the excavations from 1962 to 1967, no fortifications could be discovered on the east side of the fort. One of the four marching camps documented around Birrens was a little further north of the facility, but does not seem to have any connection with the annex. Both should have been created at the same time as the camp. In the 19th century foundations of a stone building were also observed in the southern part of the complex. The first three inscription stones were found in 1731. One of these inscriptions was on an altar dedicated by a certain Amandus , an architect, to Brigantia , the patron goddess of the North British tribe of Brigantes . Fragments of a slightly larger statue could also be discovered. The group of figures was obviously in a temple building that measured about 36 × 12 English feet. Another altar, donated by soldiers of the Cohors II Tungrorum and found in 1810, was dedicated to the goddess Minerva . Three more altars were discovered two years later. They were dedicated to the deities Ricagambeda , Mars as well as the luck of the emperor and "all gods and goddesses". Other consecration altars, probably also from this annex, were consecrated to Harimella and Viradecthis . This area is almost certainly the temple area of ​​the fort.

Monument protection and remains

The site is under the protection of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland and is looked after by the Solway Heritage Archaeologist . The storage area is a ground monument. Investigations and targeted collection of finds are subject to approval, random finds are to be sent to the above. Report to the monument authority. Statues and inscription stones - such as B. Afutianus tombstone - can be seen in the Dumfries Museum, other finds are exhibited in the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland .

literature

  • Eric Birley : The excavations in Birrens, 1936-37. In: PSAS 72, 1938, pp. 275-347.
  • BYD Christison: An account of the excavations at Birrens. In: PSAS 30, 1896, pp. 81-204.
  • Osbert Crawford : The Topography of Roman Scotland North of the Antonine Wall. Cambridge 1949.
  • Robin George Collingwood , RP Wright: The Roman Inscriptions of Britain. Oxford 1965 (= RIB ).
  • Guy de la Bedoyere: Hadrian's Wall, History and Guide. Tempus 1998, ISBN 0-7524-1407-0 , pp. 125-126.
  • Nic Fields: Hadrian's Wall AD 122-410. Osprey, Fortress. 2, Oxford 2003, ISBN 1-84176-430-2 , p. 44.
  • BR Hartley: The Roman Occupation of Scotland. In: Britannia. III, 1972, pp. 1-55.
  • Michael Rathmann , Perception and Recording of Geographical Spaces in Antiquity. Zabern, 2007, ISBN 978-3-8053-3749-6 , p. 186.
  • A. and R. Ritchie: Scotland - An Oxford Archaeological Guide. 1998.
  • Anne S. Robertson: Birrens (Blatobulgium). Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society, 1975, ISBN 0-9504521-0-6 .
  • Anne S. Robertson: The Roman in North Britain, the coin evidence. Edinburgh 1975.
  • Chris Scarre: Chronicle of the Roman Emperors. Thames & Hudson, London 1995.
  • John Kenneth St. Joseph: Air reconnaissance of Northern Britain. 1951, In: Journal of Roman Studies 41, p. 52 ff.
  • Albert LF Rivet, Colin Smith: The Place-Names of Roman Britain. London 1979, pp. 268-269.

Web links

Remarks

  1. ↑ Map Blatobulgium with the 4 marchers "Mein Water", "Broadlee" and "Johnstone Hall"
  2. ↑ Guy da Bedoyere, 1998, p. 126.
  3. ↑ Christinson, 1896.
  4. ^ D. Christison, 1896, pp. 81–204, Further campaigns took place in the 1930s. Eric Birley, 1938, pp. 275-347, A. Robertson, 1975a.
  5. ↑ RIB 2114 , RIB 2110 = AE 1897, 59 , Gnaeus Iulius Verus was governor of Britain 158 AD, RIB 2112 , RIB 2113 , A. Robertson 1975b, p. 382, ​​panel A II, RIB 2091 , E. Birley 1938, p. 279, Toynbee 1964, pp. 175-176.
  6. ↑ RIB 2216 , RIB 2426.1, RIB 2116a; Britannia 23, 1992, p. 318.
  7. ↑ RIB 2041 , RIB 2116 , RIB 966 , RIB 2093 (altar stone; photo  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. ), RIB 2097 .@1@ 2Template: Toter Link / www1.ku-eichstaett.de  
  8. ↑ RIB 2092 .
  9. ^ JK St. Joseph, Air Reconnaissance of North Britain in Journal of Roman Studies 41, 1951, pp. 57-58; and Britannia 28, 1997, pp. 410-411 Fig. 8.
  10. ↑ 55 ° 5 ′ 48.9 ″  N , 3 ° 16 ′ 41.1 ″  W , Brunswark Hill Map
  11. ↑ R. Stuart, 1965, pp. 123-124, A. Robertson 1975a, p. 78, St. Joseph, 1951, p. 57, AE 1968, 254 . A. S Robertson 1964; 1965; 1966; 1967; RP Wright 1968, RIB 2094 , RIB 2099 .
  12. Jump up ↑ 1793 Plan, Pl. XXIV, Crawford 1949, pp. 285-6; 1946, St. Joseph 1951, pp. 57–8, A. Robertson 1975a, pp. 78–80, Lukis 1887, pp. 392–395, RIB 2091 , RIB 2102 , RIB 2103 , Gough's edit Camden, III, 1789, P. 323, Pl. XXIII.3 and IV, 1806, P. 61, Pl. 14, Clerk, Dissertatio 1750, P. 5–6, RIB 2104 , photo of a copy  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info : The link was automatically marked as broken. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , CIL 8, 1072 ; RIB 2107 , RIB 2100 , RIB 2109 , CIL 7, 1065 ; RIB 2096 , CIL 7, 1073 ; RIB 2108 .@1@ 2Template: Toter Link / www1.ku-eichstaett.de  
Itinerarium Antonini / Stations Route ( Iter ) II:
From the rampart to the port of Ritupiae . Distance: 481  Roman miles
of Blatobulgium [ Birrens ] 12
to Castra Exploratorum [ Netherby ] 12
after Luguvalium [ Carlisle ] 12
after Voreda [ Old Penrith ) 14th
after Bravoniacum [ Kirkby Thore ] 13
after Verterae [ Brough ] 13
according to Lavatrae [ Bowes ] 14th
after cataractonium [ Catterick ] 16
to Isurium [ Aldborough ] 24
to Eboracum [ York ], [Location of Legio VI Victrix ], 17th
after Calcaria [ Tadcaster ] 9
to Cambodunum [ Slack ] 20th
after Mamucium [ Manchester ] 18th
according to Condate [ Northwich ] 18th
after Deva [ Chester ], [Location of Legio XX Valeria Victrix ], 20th
according to Bovium [ Tilston ] 10
after Mediolanum [ unknown ] 20th
after rutunium [ Harcourt Park ] 12
after Viroconium [ Wroxeter ] 11
to Uxacona [ Redhill ] 11
after Pennocrucium [ Penkridge ] 12
after Letocetum [ Wall ] 12
to Manduessedum [ Mancetter ] 16
to Venonae [ High Cross ] 12
to Bannaventa [ Norton ] 17th
after Lactodurum [ Towcester ] 12
to Magiovinium [ Fenny Stratford ] 17th
after Durocobrivae [ Dunstable ] 12
after Verulamium [ St Albans ] 12
after Sulloniacae [ unknown ] 9
to Londinium [London] 12
after Noviomagus [ unknown ] 10
after Vagniacae [ Springhead ] 18th
after Durobrivae [ Rochester ] 9
according to Durolevum [ unknown ] 13
after Durovernum [ Canterbury ] 12
to the port of Ritupiae [ Richborough ] 12