Expert: Malcolm Speechley - 1/26/2010

Question
I am trying to find background information on Roman York around the time of Severus in the early third century. Anything would be helpful.

Answer
Hello Rhonda.

First of all sorry for the delay in replying.

In 197 York ( Known by the Romans as Colonia Eboracensium, or Eboracum for short) appears to have been overun by various Celtic tribes who had, no doubt taken advantage of the war for the throne that was then being Waged between the British based Clodius Albinus and Septimus Severus for the Imperial Throne.

This incident exposed the inadequacy of York as a fortress and was, in all likelihood, the factor which led severus to set up his Imperial court in the city between 208 and 211. Whilst here he greatly strengthened the defenses of the city and conducted punitive wars against the natives and also against the Caledonians in what is now Scotland. Since Severus also carried out the day to day business of the empire from his court at York it was, to all intents and purposes, the administrative Capital of the Empire.

The importance of York at this time however, was not purely military. It was also a major economic centre. Its proximity to to Rivers Ouse and Humber made it an important trading site. Many of the goods that were imported from other parts of the empire came into the country via York. These included Pottery, Fish, Olive Oil and Wine among many other goods.

York was also a major manufacturing centre at this time and examples have been found of workshops producing Cooking utensils, Tools, Jewelry, shoes and other leather goods. It is highly likely that many roman goods excavated in other parts of the empire originated in York.

It way be imaged from this that York was an extremely prosperous centre and the archeology seems to bear this supposition out. While a number of Humble dwellings have been evacuated there are also several that were clearly the homes of high status Romans, These show evidence of plaster walls, mosaics and underfloor heating systems. York, at the time of Severus it seems, was a popular habitat for the wealthy.

The number of foreign traders that visited the city made third century York a very cosmopolitan town. This can be best seen in the various religious practices of the inhabitants. Temples to god Mars, Hercules, and Jupiter are only three of several that have been unearthed.

York has remained an important religious and economic centre to the present day. This fact can almost certainly be attributed to the three years that Severus spent in the city.

I hope this has given you at least some idea of what York was like in the early third century.

Best Wishes.

Malcolm.