Tales of Britannia Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bath

The only natural mineral spring in England that is classified as "hot", the area around Aquae Sulis was originally used by the Celts as a shrine that was dedicated to their goddess Sulis. In fact, the Latin name of the town means "the waters of Sulis". Sulis was viewed as a mother-goddess; the ancient Romans identified her with their goddess Minerva, and built a bathhouse over the spring with a near-by temple. Eventually the bath complex boasted facilities that rivaled those in other areas of the empire, and included a caldarium, tepidarium, and frigidarium.

Answer: Dover

Interestingly, it is written that when Julius Caesar crossed the Channel and invaded Britain, he decided to not land at Dubris, even though that was his original intention. He found a large number of Britons waiting for him, lined up on the cliffs; he wrote, they were "so close to the shore that javelins could be thrown down from them onto anyone landing there".

Instead, his ships sailed about seven miles further and landed on an empty beach. Originally used as a garrison for the Roman navy, Dubris did eventually house a fort that was part of the line of defense that the Romans called the Saxon Shore.

While Dubris was not considered the most important harbor in Britain, however, it was a major trade center.

Answer: York

Eboracum was founded in approximately 71 AD, after the Brigantes, a Celtic tribe that was a client state to Rome, became hostile. The Roman Ninth Legion built a military fortress there under the leadership of General Quintus Petillius Cerialis, who became the Roman Governor of Britain.

A large community grew around the fort, as it provided outlets for trade to the local people, and at its peak of development, was not only a provincial capital, but the largest town in northern England.

Answer: Staines-upon-Thames

Ad Pontes was founded in 43 AD, the same year that Emperor Claudius successfully invaded Britain, and the first Staines bridge was built. The city was located on the Devil's Highway, a Roman road which connected Londinium and Calleva Atrebatum (by Silchester); its bridge is believed to have been the only one over the Thames River at the time, with the exception of London Bridge.

Some believe the name Ad Pontes, which is plural in Latin, means that more than one bridge was built at the site, however, no evidence supporting the claim has ever been found.

Answer: London

It is believed that the Romans began to occupy the area around modern-day London in 43 AD, shortly after the conquest of Britain. A small fort was built on one of the hills to protect a bridge built over the Thames. However, it was destroyed during the Iceni rebellion led by the famous Boudica.

Afterwards, the city was rebuilt as a planned Roman city, and quickly became the largest Roman center in Britain, serving as a port between Roman urban centers in Britain, as well as provinces on the nearby continent. Seven of the fifteen roads eventually built in Roman Britain converged in Londinium, making the city an important political and commercial center.

Answer: Newcastle

Pons Aelius began as a fort and bridge that crossed and guarded the River Tyne. Given the family name of Emperor Hadrian, it is believed that he actually visited the site and choose it as an important fort along his famous Wall, fragments of which can still be seen in modern-day Newcastle. Hadrian's Wall, built for defense from the Picts, stretched for approximately 73 miles across England.

When Roman power came to an end on Britain, Pons Aelius became part of Northumbria, and was ruled by Anglo-Saxon kings.

Answer: Pumsaint/Dolaucothi

The Romans built a fort in Luentinum (in modern Powys, Wales) in order to protect the area from the Silures, a tribe in Britain said to be very warlike, and control gold mines in the area in approximately 75 AD. Archaeological evidence shows that the fort was rebuilt several times, however, it appears to have been abandoned sometime around 140, when it is believed that the civilian settlement in the area took control of the region.

The gold mines were undeniably important, and the technology used by the Romans there is considered to be as advanced as other Roman mines in Europe.

In addition, the fort was built at a crossroads of several Roman highways.

Answer: Colchester

Originally named Camulodunon, the town was the capital of Celtic tribes before being taken over, shortly after the successful invasion of Britain by the Emperor Claudius. Another town destroyed during the Iceni rebellion, Camulodunon was rebuilt and officially named Colonia Claudia Victricensis.

It was home to many structures that were common in Rome, including a large amphitheater, the only Circus in Britain, and several temples. The town also became an important industrial center with the manufacture of pottery, glassware, and coin mint.

Answer: Chester

Built in the 70s AD, the Roman amphitheater in Deva Victrix is the largest found in Britain. While there is a legend that the Romans used it for military training, archaeological evidence shows that it was used for cock fighting, bull baiting, and combat sports.

Some believe that due to the massive size of Deva Victrix, (it was 20% larger than any other Roman fort in Britain) the planned use of the fortress was to stage an invasion of Ireland or perhaps to make Deva Victrix the Roman capital of all of Britain.

Answer: Lincoln

While the Romans normally sent people to populate their newly founded colonies during the Republican Era, the Emperor Augustus normally gave land grants to retired members of the military in what were called "colonies". Eventually the name came to mean the highest status a Roman city could achieve; the high status typically meant exemption from taxes. What began as a fort in Lindom Colonia, became a "colonia" over time.

The city boasted an elaborate aqueduct system, and what archaeologists believe to be the best sewage system in Roman Britain, as well as a pottery factory.