The Roman invasion of
Britain saw many changes within Wales. The promise of
gold in the Welsh hills and the resistance of Caradog
(Caratacus in Latin) caused the Romans to expand into the
hill country, although they governed the area from low
lying forts close to the coasts. Most of the modern Welsh
cities are built around these Roman forts. |
|
Caerleon
Amphitheatre
Excavated earlier this century,
this is one of the best preserved Roman remains in the
United Kingdom. The Amphitheatre is situated close to a
Roman fortress (the remains of which can also be seen)
and would have provided traditional Roman entertainment
to soldiers who were far from home.
|
|
Dolaucothi
Gold Mines
Dolaucothi is the only known
verified roman gold mine in the UK. The site is now in
the hands of the National Trust and the original Roman
open cast workings can still be clearly seen, along with
other features such as access/drainage tunnels cut into
the hillside. The mine lies alongside the more modern and
more extensive gold mines of the industrial period but is
surprisingly unaffected by the more modern workings.
Gold and other ores were a primary reason for the Romans
invading Britain. Tin in Cornwall was mined long before
the Roman invasion and the mineral wealth of the island
made it attractive to the expanding empire.
|
|