18 
where the slope furnished a natural vantage-ground for watching 
the sports beneath. Such has been the procedure at Maryport. 
The remarkable terraces in Geltsdale have had a similar origin 
ascribed to them. Something of the same kind may be seen at 
Mayborough near the gates of Lowther Park, though these are 
more probably of British than of Roman work; and a level field 
by the camp at Hardknott, in Eskdale, bears a very close resem- 
blance to this one at Maryport. 
The following description from a classical dictionary of the 
original Campus Martius at Rome will give some idea of the 
object of these places :—“ It was a plain without the walls of the 
city where the youth performed exercises, learnt to wrestle and 
box, to throw the discus, hurl the javelin, ride the horse and drive 
the chariot. Public assemblies were held here, the officers of state 
chosen, and audience given to ambassadors.” 
In our field then we have, as I believe, the recreation ground 
of the station and the place of exercise for the garrison. ‘There is 
ample room for sports such as foot-racing, boxing, and wrestling, 
and even for races with chariots. The actual level space is a 
parallelogram about ninety-five yards in length and ninety-three in 
breadth, which would leave plenty of room for a good-sized track 
for either foot or chariot races. The spectators would stand on 
the elevated ground to the north-east, which rises sonie eight feet, 
or on the mound already mentioned, which is about four feet above 
the plain. There must have been some level place near the camp 
where the infantry could exercise and drill. Inscriptions on the 
votive-altars found here indicate that cavalry also was attached to 
the garrison, at least during some periods; if so, the field would 
serve for their drill also. 
To sum up briefly the points of my argument. A circus or 
Campus Martius was provided at nearly all great Roman stations ; 
and might therefore be looked for at Maryport. No site in all the 
neighbourhood is so suitable for the purpose as the one we are 
examining. ‘There is evidence that it has always been an open 
space unencumbered by buildings: and the surface shows distinct 
traces of having been artificially levelled. An artificial mound 
