#A2ZChallenge T is for Trimontium

T is for Trimontium 

– Newstead Roman Fort, Melrose

Theme: Ancient Roman Scotland during the Flavian era

Trimontium Roman Fort in the Scottish Borders is also known as the Newstead Fort and was situated near the town of Melrose. Trimontium is believed to refer to the ‘three peaks’ of the Eildon Hills, which are a beautiful backdrop for the area, and the fort at Newstead is thought to be the Trimontium referred to by Claudius Ptolemaeus (Ptolemy) in his map references of Britannia. The name Trimontium is also mentioned on the only fragmentary milestone found in Scotland at Ingliston, near Edinburgh. The distance on the milestone to the fort at Newstead helps to pinpoint it as the Trimontium mentioned by Ptolemy.

Wikimedia Commons

In the post which follows I’m referring to the fort as Trimontium.

The substantial fort of Trimontium, the largest permanent fort in Scotland – with the exceptions of Agricola’s legionary fortress of Inchtuthil (c. 83-87), and of Emperor Severus’ legionary fortress base at Carpow (c. 209) on the River Tay – was initially built in the Flavian era. A suggestion has been mooted that the very first fort may have been created earlier and during the governorships of Bolanus and/or Cerialis (c. 69-71) but, I believe, there’s currently still not enough evidence for this. However, after the initial Flavian installation of c. A.D. 78, there seems to have been further phases of building, including during the late Flavian, Antonine and Severan eras.

Trimontium fort may have been one of Agricola’s first built defences in Scotland after he had successfully subdued the Brigantes federation of tribes of present-day north Yorkshire/Cumbria/ Northumberland.  

The first substantial Flavian fort of 4.3 ha (c. A.D. 78-86) was of unusual design and was surrounded by two ditches. It’s an interesting question as to why the earliest fort design at Newstead seems perhaps experimental, the gates and ditch system maybe indicating a need for more effective control of entry and exit, or that there was a greater need for the defences to hold back intruders for even longer than would be normal in a traditional gate design. Whatever, the design looks to have strengthened the gates.

When the first fort was built at Trimontium, the site was strategically important for the success of Agricola’s northern campaigns. Trimontium was built in the valley of the River Tweed at a point where the main Roman arterial road from the south, Dere Street, crossed the Tweed and continued northwards up the east side of Scotland. 

Nancy Jardine 

(Dere Street passed close to the fort of Elginhaugh mentioned in my E for Elginhaugh post in this #A2ZChallenge 2019.)

Dere Street, and forts like Trimontium, would have been crucial for the transfer of troops and goods when Agricola continued his campaigns in the Forth/Clyde area, and even further north when he continued on to north-east Scotland (current Aberdeenshire).

The tribes to the east of Dere Street are thought to have been the Votadini who appear to have made friendly relations with the Roman Empire from the outset of invasions of northern Britannia. This supposition is based on the knowledge that very few Roman installations seem to have been built on Votadini territory and also on the later writings to the effect that the Votadini were known to have good trading relations with the Roman Empire.

To the west of Dere Street were the tribes of the Selgovae and the Novantae.  Trimontium was in today’s terminology a busy hub, or junction, as Agricola’s troops made moves to control southern Scotland, and after that he eventually controlled what is currently known as the central belt of Scotland. From the amount of forts built in Selgovae and Novantae territories it seems reasonable to deduce that the main sources of dissention, aggression and revolt were initially coming from those tribes, as opposed to the Votadini.

 

Nancy Jardine - Tribal Map using names from
Ptolemy's map references

The earliest Flavian fort at Trimontium is thought to have been manned by cavalry troops, which makes a lot of sense if control and monitoring of the area was a constant necessity and threat. A cavalry presence at a busy junction also seems practical for controlling the movement of people around the fort environs. I personally think the picturesque hills and valleys of the area around Trimontium would have taken some effort to maintain control.

Fabulous finds from the early Agricolan phase which have equestrian uses further suggest that the first occupation was by a cavalry unit. The items uncovered include bridle bits, harness mounts, spearheads, elaborate leather chamfrons worn by horses, detailed sports/ parade helmets. Graffiti referring to a ‘turma’ also helps to identify the earliest garrisons as that of cavalry units. 

(see post H is for Helmet Masks HERE) 

That first Agricolan fort was probably dismantled and abandoned c. 86, during what seems to have been a huge withdrawal of troops from northern Scotland, probably when Emperor Domitian ordered many Britannic units to return to continental Europe to help fight his wars in Lower Germania, and after that during the Dacian wars.  

Unfortunately, the deliberate dismantling process of the first fort c. 86, and subsequent re-use of the site in (probably) the later 80s, makes identification of the interiors of the earliest forts extremely difficult.

Nancy Jardine at
Trimontium Museum 

It's not entirely clear if there was also a legionary presence during the early Flavian forts at Trimontium. A set of phalerae, the military decorations associated with the legions, was found along with two gladii, the shorter swords used by the legions in Flavian pits. A wine amphora inscribed with the name of Tribune Attius Secundus, recovered from a Flavian pit, may indicate he was a Tribunus Cohortis in command of 1000 cavalry unit, or he may have been in command of vexillation of legionaries, possibly the bulk of whom were mounted soldiers. (as in a  Cohors Milliaria Requitata 240 infantry/ 760 cavalry) or some suitable combination for Agricola's campaign needs.
(see post S is for Structure HERE )

The large number of temporary camps in the vicinity, some of them laid down during the Flavian period,  further substantiate that Trimontium was a strategic site of great military importance during the different occupations of Scotland. Different troops units gathered around a few strategically placed forts before engaging in forward invasion advances and Trimontium was one of these forts. Overlapping use of land makes the identification and dating of the 8 known camps and a number of fort annexes somewhat difficult. There are different interpretations but at least one camp may have housed the soldiers when they were building the first Flavian fort.      

Nancy Jardine at
Trimontium Museum 

The annexe extensions to the earliest forts are thought to have been for varied uses. They may have housed areas where animals were slaughtered, and were possible crafting areas. A mansio building may have been temporary accommodation for official travellers. The small baths found near the mansio were too small for general fort use, so were thought to again have been for senior staff or official military traveller use. Exactly when the baths were built can only be guessed at. If not during the Flavian period then they may have been built during the interim between lat Domitianic and early Hadrianic eras. 

The soldier headcount during the Agricolan era isn't easy to determine but the size of the fort could easily accommodate 1000 troops ( even mounted units) and with contemporary camp accommodation perhaps up to 5000 strong.

My focus during this particular #A2Zchallenge is to write about the Roman ongoings in Scotland during the Flavian era, so I've resisted the temptation to include the developments at Trimontium during the Antonine and Severan occupations. Trimontium has yielded up an incredible amount of stunning artefacts which give us a tantalising glimpse into what it might have been like to be garrisoned at the fort during the various Roman occupations of Scotland.

A groma for surveying purposes
Nancy Jardine at Trimontium Museum 

The small Trimontium Museum at Melrose is the most fabulous place to visit. I love the interpretive displays because they really give a sense of what it may have been like to have been one of the garrison manning the fort. The Trimontium Museum at Melrose is full of genuine artefacts, copies (the originals being in the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh), and superb displays. The museum trustees are currently working towards extending the premises and I'm really looking forward to seeing what the new settings will look like.

Had you ever heard of Trimontium/ Newstead Roman fort before reading this post? If you have heard of it, how did you come by your information? Please tell me in the comments box. 

Till tomorrow and another #A2ZChallenge 2019 post....

Slainthe!