Bust of Hadrian facing right
Bust of Hadrian facing left
Hadrian?s Wall Title

Vindobala ~ Salve ad Vindobala ( Rudchester )

This is the fourth fort along the Wall from the east coast and is named differently in two Roman lists. In the Notitia Dignitatum the fort is named Vindobala whilst in the Ravenna it is named Vindovala. Built by Hadrian for a cohors quingenaria equitata it is clear it was to be for a cavalry unit. The fort was burnt down in the late second century but was soon rebuilt. The fort was abandoned in the late second century and re-occupied at about the 370 AD period. The reasons for the initial abandonment are not known.

The first real excavation of Vindobala was in 1924 and another carried out in 1962. Much of the stone was robbed away for surrounding farm houses, dry stone walling and also the Military Road. There is now little to see. There are some mounds to the south of the Military Road which mark the south and west ramparts. The fort itself would have covered some 4.5 acres. Buildings that were uncovered during the excavations were a hypocaust which was attached to the Commanding Officer‘s House, although this stretch is small and had butresses so may have been part of a bath house, part of the Headquarters ( Principia ), two main gateways and a granary. The west gate leading to the berm of the Wall was walled up at some point though the reasons are not clear as to why and nor is the date for this event.

The Headquarters building had been plastered at some time as this was found during the dig. The plaster showed signs of being coloured.

In the Mithraeum, which was excavated in 1924 and lies to the south-west of the fort, five altars were found. One of these alters was left uninscribed. Rudchester Hall contains a unique fireplace inside. It has a stone lintel with carved jambs and lying at the foot of the fireplace is a Roman Cohort and Centurial Stone. This records the efforts of the Third Cohort of the Century of Pedovius and was taken from the Wall itself it seems.

GARRISON: under Hadrian Cohors Quingenaria Equitata ?
GARRISON: under Marcus Aurelius no evidence
GARRISON: Third Century no evidence - fort run down from 270‘s until 370‘s
GARRISON: Notitia Dignitatum cohors prima Frixagorum (presumably Frisiavonum) from the Netherlands

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