Caistor Roman Town (Venta Icenorum)
Public life in Roman Britain
Summary
Illustration of the later forum at Caistor. © Sue White.
The most important buildings in any Roman town were the forum, the basilica, and the thermae (baths). At Caistor St Edmund the forum and basilica were built in the middle of the town.
The introduction of Roman law played an important part in converting Britain to a more Roman way of life. People had to bring their complaints to the magistrates in the courts at the basilica, but at the same time the Romans tried not to interfere with local customs.
Further information
Latin became the official language since it was used in the law courts, and also for all other official business, both written and spoken. The basilica was also the place where the local council (ordo) met to discuss how the town and the local countryside would be ruled.
All Iceni men who owned certain amounts of property and wealth were forced to be on the council. Each person was put in charge of a public service (e.g. maintenance of roads, bridges, water supplies or sewers). Usually they were left to get on with the job unless they broke any of the strict rules made by the Romans. Then the governor of Britain, or even the Emperor would be quick to point out the fault.
However being on the ordo was an unpopular job. The Britons needed to learn Latin in order to carry out official business properly. They also had to pay for repairs to roads and look after other expenses from their private wealth.
The basilica
The basilica formed one part of rectangle-shaped building. The other three sides were a covered walkway enclosing a courtyard. This was the forum. It was the main business and shopping centre for Caistor. Shops and offices surrounded a market place, where traders would come to sell their goods.
Caistor's early forum burnt down in about AD 200 and a much smaller one was built later, before AD 300. This was probably because the town had become less wealthy and important by the end of the third century.
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Last updated on: 16 July 2007
