All three of these Roman towns are thought to have been civitas capitals, although they are not included in the book due to lack of space. All three are worth a visit and some of the key points about these urban settlements are addressed below.

Brough on Humber (East Riding of Yorkshire)

This Roman site was probably known as Petuaria and may have been the civitas capital of the Parisi. Brough probably initially developed during the late first century CE as a Roman fort at a ferry crossing over the Humber Estuary. A Roman road reached the river crossing from the south and another road ran from Brough to York. The town may have originated in the early second century and was defended by and earth and timber rampart, enclosing a small internal area of around five hectares. This was supplemented with a stone facing wall during the third century and bastions were added in the late Roman period. 

Brough has few of the characteristics of other civitas capitals and there is some doubt about its status (Fulford and Holbrook [eds] 2015, 123). As inscription from the site indicates, however, that the town had a theatre. Excavations and geophysical survey within the walled area indicates occupation, including traces of a large courtyard building, although the status and role of Roman Brough on Humber remains uncertain (Halkon and Lyall 2022). Additional excavations have uncovered extramural settlement to the east of the walled circuit (Cool, Hunter-Mann and Darling 2000). Finds suggest that occupation also existed outside the northern defences and it is likely that port facilities were located alongside the Humber Estuary just to the south of Brough.

There is little to see at the site today, and part of the walled area has been incorporated in the urban area of the modern town. Part of the area of the town remains undeveloped in The Burrs Playing Field and the eastern boundary of this open area lies over the outer line of the eastern defenses.

Carlisle (Northumberland)

Roman Carlisle (Luguvalium) was an important Roman centre with two forts and town, located on the northern frontier of the province of Britannia at the meeting point of two Roman roads. Knowledge is derived from excavations, particularly relatively recent work that has uncovered the remains of roads, houses and burials. Apart from the displays of Roman Carlisle in Tullie House Museum, nothing can be seen of the urban settlement at Carlisle.

The earliest timber fort at Carlisle was constructed during the early 70 CE just to the south of the River Eden close to the Solway Firth at the north of Roman territory. The site of this fort, which was reconstructed on several occasions during the subsequent century, was in the area later occupied by the medieval castle and the Tullie House Museum. A second masonry fort was built north of the River Eden during the 120s CE, forming one of the Wall forts of Hadrian’s Wall. The Roman fort south of the river remained in use until the fourth century and a civil settlement developed outside its gates, which later developed into a town which may well have been a civitas capital by the early third century. Epigraphic evidence has been taken to indicate that Carlisle was the capital of a people known as the Carvetii. The dominant members of its ruling elite are, however, likely to have been retired veterans from the military and their offspring.

Excavations in advance of development in the city have uncovered the courses of several Roman roads and revealed occupation, industry and cemeteries. Timber strip buildings have been uncovered and the status of the town suggests that there may have been public buildings, including a forum, but these remain to be located. Fragments of monumental masonry and inscriptions suggest the presence of a bathhouse and temples. Surprisingly, it is also unclear that the town had a circuit of defensive ramparts or a town wall (Fulford and Holbrook [eds] 2015, 123).

The status and importance of this Roman town is indicated by recent excavations at the Carlisle Cricket Club, on the north bank of the River Eden (https://www.uncoveringromancarlisle.co.uk). This has uncovered a very substantial Roman building and an inscription naming Julia Domna, wife of the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus. This may well be part of an imperial palace, frequented by the emperor and his family during his seven years campaigning on the northern frontiers of Britain during the early third century. York evidently formed Severus’ main base but Carlisle may well have formed a secondary base for his massive military forces. An ongoing community project is uncovering the building and it is possible to visit during the excavation season (see website above).

Recent excavations uncovered an area of an early- second-century cremation cemetery which produced two rich burials of individuals who, from the finds interred with the remains, came from the area of northern France or southern Belgium (Hobson, 2024). This cemetery area was part of an extensive area of burial to the southeast of the early fort and civil settlement. It was redeveloped later in the Roman period for housing as the town expanded. Although there are no physical traces of the Roman town that can be visited and explored, the excellent Tullie House Museum in the city displays finds from the military and civil occupation of Carlisle (https://tullie.org.uk). 

Carmarthen (Carmarthenshire)

This Roman walled settlement is interpreted as the civitas capital of a people known as the Demetae. The town, which developed on the site of a Roman fort, was probably known as Moridunum. Excavations over the past fifty years have uncovered the remains of the fort and town. The fort was located just to the east of Carmarthen Castle and the town further east still. St Peter’s Church occupies a location just within the western boundary of the Roman walled ciruit.

The Roman fort may have been constructed in the 70s CE close to a port and the town may have started to develop as a civil settlement outside the fort’s east gate. The name Moridunum is thought to mean ‘Sea Fort’. The fort was probably abandoned in the early second century. The street system and some of the earlier building of the town appear to date to the early second century. The town was supplied with a defensive circuit of banks and ditches, enclosing an area of thirteen hectares, probably constructed during the late second century. A masonry wall was later added to the outer face of the earth rampart around at least part of the circuit (Wacher 1995, 391–3). 

Carmarthen’s Roman walls were reused and rebuilt in the medieval period and the course of the defences can be followed as modern roads run outside the course around almost the entire circuit. Almost no traces of the medieval walls have survived, however. Several timber-framed buildings have been excavated within the walled circuit and the very damaged foundations of a Romano-Celtic temple located (James 2003). The only public building located to date is the amphitheatre, positioned 250 metres east of the town’s eastern defences. Limited excavations were undertaken in 1968, uncovering part of the arena. The arena wall and part of one of the two entrance passageways have been reconstructed and are displayed to visitors (https://ancientmonuments.uk/131289-roman-amphitheatre-carmarthen).