Noviomagus Reginorum
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Noviomagus Reginorum was the Roman town which is today called Chichester, situated in the modern English county of West Sussex. Alternative versions of the name include Noviomagus Regnorum, Regnentium and Regentium[citation needed].
[edit] Development
Noviomagus, meaning 'new field', was first established as a winter fort in the friendly territory of the Atrebates tribe, shortly after the Roman conquest in AD 43. It was the home of the Legio II Augusta commanded by the future Emperor Vespasian [1] and their timber barrack blocks, supply stores and military equipment have been excavated. The army only stayed for a couple of years and the site was soon developed as a civilian settlement and capital of the Civitas Reginorum, a client kingdom ruled by Tiberius Claudius Cogidubnus.
The Regnenses were either a sub-tribe of the Atrebates or simply the local people designated the 'people of the Kingdom' by the Roman administration. Cogidubnus almost certainly lived at the nearby Palace of Fishbourne. He is mentioned on the dedication stone of the temple to Neptune and Minerva found in Chichester. Other public buildings were also present: the public baths are beneath West Street, the amphitheatre under the cattle market and the basilica is thought to be beneath the cathedral.
The town became an important residential, market and industrial centre, producing both fine tableware and enamelwork. In the 2nd century the town was surrounded by a bank and timber pallisade which was later rebuilt in stone. Bastions were added in the early 4th century and the town was generally improved with much rebuilding, road surfacing and a new sewerage system. There were cemeteries outside the east, north and south gates.
[edit] Decline
By the 380s, Noviomagus appears to have been largely abandoned, perhaps because of Saxon raids along the south coast. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle the town was eventually captured towards the close of the 5th century by Aelle of the South Saxons. It was renamed after his son, Cissa, and probably retained as a royal residence.
[edit] Remains
- The dedication stone of the temple of Neptune and Minerva is now set into the wall of the Assembly Rooms.
- Part of a fine Roman mosaic may be seen in situ beneath the floor of the cathedral.
- A second mosaic from Noviomagus may be seen at Fishbourne Roman Palace.
- One of the town's bastions may be seen in the gardens of the Bishop's Palace.
- The Chichester District Museum houses many finds from across the city.
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