The Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites
Richard Stillwell, William L. MacDonald, Marian Holland McAllister, Stillwell, Richard, MacDonald, William L., McAlister, Marian Holland, Ed.

OTHONA (Bradwell-on-Sea) Essex, England.

The Roman fort has been at least two-thirds eroded by the sea, and the remains now overlook the partially silted Blackwell estuary. Very little is known of its history but some evidence suggests occupation lasting from the late 3d c. to the end of the Roman period. The Notitia Dignitatum records the presence of the Numerus Fortensium in the second half of the 4th c.

The wall, some 4.2 m thick and not more than 1 m above the present ground level, can be traced on three sides of the enclosure. At least two external bastions are known, both apparently bonded with the wall. A Saxon church was built over the W gate.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

T. Lewin, “On the Castra of The littus Saxonicum and particularly the Castrum of Othona,” Archaeologia 41 (1867) 439; VCH Essex III (1963) 52-55.

B. W. CUNLIFFE