The excavation of the great Roman Palace at Fishbourne suggests that Sussex was an important administrative and supply base which would have been a well used route for the conquest of the rest of Britain. 

 

Sussex escaped the ravages of the rising led by Boadicea and development was swift. Chichester itself boasted an Ampitheatre, a Forum and the Basilica, unfortunately these cannot be seen as they are under later buildings such as the cathedral.

 

Roman merchant ship of the second century

 

The palace at Fishbourne was constructed before the end of the first century, and it is reasonable to assume it was built for Cogidumnus who continued to rule under the Romans for at least another three decades. The Palace in now one of the best known and most visited archaeological sites in Britain famous for its Roman mosaics. Many Roman coins have also been found in Chichester and the surrounding areas and points to the latter part of the first century as being the most active and prosperous in the areas history.

 

The main garrison post was at Anderida (Pevensey), whilst Chichester was a fortified town occupying some 90 acres. The coastal plain, the Downs, and the Greensand hills were already settled before the Romans came, but we can assume some improvement in agricultural techniques and of some efficiently managed agricultural estates. Most farming carried on as before by small farmers tending their fields individually and living in small hamlets, occasionally bartering their goods for pottery or equipment. Posting stations made journeys to London easier and horses could be changed at inns with stables of which two were situated in Sussex, one at Hardham and the other at Alfoldean.

 

Yet this Sussex of the fourth century became, within a hundred years, isolated both from the Continent and from the rest of England - a land cut off by forests to the North and a dangerous sea to the South.

 

 

MOSAICS

At Bignor are mosaic pavements, mostly dating from the extension of the house in the second century, which are unsurpassed for their workmanship by anything anywhere else in Britain.

 

Romano-Celtic Temple, reconstruction

 

 

BOADICEA

 

Queen of the Iceni, revolted against the Romans and burnt their settlement at London. But her army was annihilated and she takes poison to escape capture.

 

 

 

 

 

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