CARPOW
Perthshire, Scotland.
A military
base on the S bank of the Tay, used by Septimius Severus during his British campaigns in 208-11, and described by Cassius Dio (76.12f) and Herodian (3.14).
Its Roman name is unknown, but it was not Horrea Classis as was believed earlier. The defenses, formed of a
6 m earth bank and two ditches, enclose an irregular
quadrilateral (337.5 m E-W x 280.8 N-S; 11.16 ha). In
the middle of each side was a stone gate with two passageways but no guard chambers.
Inside, near the center of the enclosure, was a stone
principia (46.5 x 39 m) and the bath suite of a praetorium. Tiles were stamped by Legio VI victrix with the
titles BRITANNICA PIA FIDELIS (LEG VI VIC B P F), and
the Legio Augusta is attested as well by its emblems
of the capricorn and pegasi on a sculpture found at the
E gate. Aerial photographs have revealed legionary barracks in the praetentura, an annex at the SE, and a
large temporary encampment enclosing the entire Severan complex. The base was abandoned soon after 212,
when Caracalla made peace with the Britons, although a
TRAIECTUS coin of that ruler showing a bridge of boats
probably refers to Carpow, while a fragmentary inscription from the E gate probably dates to some time not
long after 211.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
R. E. Birley,
Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot. 96
(1962-63) 184ff
MPI; R. P. Wright, ibid. 97 (1963-64)
202ff (inscription);
JRS 59 (1969) 110 (aerial photographs), 203
P; J. K. St. Joseph, ibid. 63 (1973) 220ff
MPI.
J. J. WILKES
