Minerva's shrine

This is the only in-situ Roman shrine in this country. When quarrying the sandstone for use in the fortress walls it seems that the legionaries carved the shrine into one of the rock faces and dedicated it to Minerva, their protector both as soldiers and craftsmen. Although the carving has weathered badly you can trace the outline of a figure carrying a spear and an owl looking over her shoulder.

In medieval times the figure was thought to be that of the Virgin Mary, which could explain the shrine's survival.

Castra

The city of Chester takes it’s name from the Latin or Roman name for a fortress or camp, many other English towns and cities, like Manchester, Gloucester, Exeter and Worcester owe their origin to the siting of a Roman Fortress.

The Legionary fortress of Chester was built in the 70’s A.D by Legion II Adiutrix, built in a bend of the river Dee, it was known as Deva, the original fortress built of wood and earth had rounded corners and straight sides. Much later stone walls replaced the earlier fortification, much of these stone walls form the foundation of Chester’s walls.

The lay out of Roman forts followed a standard pattern, for over 500 years a soldier from any part of the Empire could enter any camp or fort and know the rough whereabouts of the camps granaries, baths, barracks and where to find the Camp commandant.

Legion XX

A legion at full strength consisted of some 6,000 men divided in to cohorts of 480 men which were further divided into one 60 man (the 1st ) and five, 80 man centuries. In addition each legion had a cavalry unit, specialist artillery officers and engineers. It is believed that in addition to his own arms and armour a legionary carried a basket, saw and a spade or turf cutter with which to construct fortifications. On completion of his 25 years service a legionary could expect to be made a Roman citizen.

Legion XX which earned its title Valeria Victrix (Valiant in Victory) at the defeat of Boudicca is the legion most associated with Chester. Before being posted to Britain the Legion had served in what was Yugoslavia, it took a wild boar as it’s emblem and was posted to Chester in about 88 A.D. when it was withdrawn from Scotland when the decision was taken not to try to occupy Hibernia (Scotland), it remained at Chester for the next 200 years.

See the Wikipedia for further information about Chester