Arbeia Roman Fort

Arbeia Roman Fort, South Shields

Arbeia Roman Fort

Where is it – England, North East England

Who looks after it –  Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums 

Arbeia Roman Fort stood guard for centuries on the south bank of the Tyne, commanding the sea route to Hadrian’s Wall. As well as having a garrison of some 600 troops, the fort was a supply base for other forts along the wall. The complex is situated in the middle of what is now a residential area, with a primary school opposite. It was originally built in the 2nd century AD and, with variations and rebuilding (the fort was destroyed in the late 3rd/early 4th century, for example), was occupied until the Anglo-Saxon period. There is a an excellent museum, reconstructed gateway and living quarters (which are a bit tatty) and the excavated outline of the fort.

The name Arbeia is believed to be a Latinised form of the Aramaic for ‘the place of the Arabs’, because the last known unit stationed there was a company of bargemen – possibly some kind of specialised marine force – from the region around the mouth of the Tigris, in what is now Iraq.

 


Address

Baring Street, South Shields, Tyne and Wear NE33 2BB 

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