Hexham in Northumberland, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Mediterranean Style in Northern Climes
Photographed by Michael Herrick, August 20, 2018
1. Mediterranean Style in Northern Climes Marker
Mediterranean Style in Northern Climes
All Roman forts included a large prestigious house (praetorium) for the commanding officer (praefectus), his family and servants.
The praetorium was the largest building in the fort. The design came from the Mediterranean, where its central courtyard would have provided cool and shade in a warm climate. Here at Housesteads it provided protection in bad weather from wind, rain and snow.
The courtyard was surrounded by ranges of rooms, partly on two floors. Entry to each room was from a corridor around the courtyard, sheltered by a colonnaded roof. The most important living and dining rooms were warmed by under floor heating and adorned with plastered and painted walls.
The commanding officer's household included his family and several servants. Most of the servants were slaves or freedmen (former slaves) who looked after all the domestic tasks, under the supervision of the commander's wife.
Felix says
Our commanding officer lives in this house. You can tell how important he is by how largeband impressive the house is.
( photo captions )
Above: Something of daily
this page online
By permission of the Vindolanda Charitable Trust
A reconstruction drawing of the praetorium in the third century AD, its roof lifted to give an impression of how splendid such residences could be.
Reconstruction: akg-images/Peter Connolly
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 55° 0.773′ N, 2° 19.811′ W. Marker is in Hexham, England, in Northumberland. It can be reached from Route B6319 2.9 kilometers Route A69, on the right when traveling west. Located at Housesteads Roman Fort. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hexham, England NE47 6NW, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in North East England. It is also in British Border Reivers Country. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic
Photographed by Michael Herrick, August 20, 2018
2. Mediterranean Style in Northern Climes Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Fort and its Design (within shouting distance of this marker); 16th Century Bastle House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Vicus (within shouting distance of this marker); The Heart of the Fort (within shouting distance of this marker); The Comanding Officer and his House (within shouting distance of this marker); Where the Soldiers Lived (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Wall Arrives (about 90 meters away); Barracks: the Last Hundred Years at Housesteads (about 90 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hexham.
Also see . . .
1. English Heritage - Housesteads Roman Fort. (Submitted on November 16, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Housesteads Roman Fort on Wikipedia. (Submitted on November 16, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 144 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 16, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
