Gloucester GL1 2DP in Gloucestershire, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Roman Gloucester in AD 180

Photographed by Roger W. Sinnott, July 19, 2024

1. Roman Gloucester in AD 180 Marker

Inscription. The town lies beside the Severn within the rectangular outline of an old army fortress; north is to the right. Imposing gates in the stone walls control entry to the town. Its defended area of 18ha [44 acres] is surrounded by suburbs.

In the middle of the town is the basilica (civic hall) and beside it is the forum (public open space). In 1989, during excavation of the forum, archaeologists found parts of an equestrian statue that was likely to have been of the emperor who gave the town its founding charter.

Nerva, a distinguished lawyer, was over 60 when proclaimed emperor in AD 96. Civil administration was carefully nurtured and developed in his tolerant reign and many welcome social measures were initiated.

When he died in AD 98 it was said nobody could have done more for the empire in so short a time. People of Roman Gloucester — Colonia Nerviana Glevensis — would have felt highly honoured that their town carried his name.

As an emperor, the statue shows Nerva in a conventional pose in military uniform.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 180 CE.

Location. 51° 51.882′ N, 2° 14.797′ W. Marker is in Gloucester, England, in Gloucestershire

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. It is in Gloucester GL1 2DP. It is on Southgate Street, in the median. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 20 Southgate Street, Gloucester, England GL1 1TP, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South West England.

Globally, it is in the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Crypt Schoolroom (within shouting distance of this marker); George Whitefield (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Mary’s Gate (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Gloria Soli Deo (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); St Oswald's Anglo Saxon Minster and Medieval Priory (approx. half a kilometer away); Welcome to Llanthony Secunda Priory (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); Montpellier Gardens (approx. 11.9 kilometers away); Gustav Holst (approx. 12.1 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gloucester.

Statue of Emperor Nerva image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger W. Sinnott, July 19, 2024

2. Statue of Emperor Nerva

The marker is on the base (eastern face) of the statue.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2024, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 134 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 28, 2024, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.