British and Roman Antiquities of Bath, 1 1 



probably succeeded a Roman bridge. This road quitted the 

 city by the North gate, and passing through Walcot, followed 

 the river to Bath-Easton, whence it passed up the hill in 

 a direct line to Cirencester, the Roman Corinium. 



A second came from S. Wales. It crossed the Severn near 

 Aust, approached Bath by Bitton, and entered the city at the 

 South gate, leaving it at the North gate, and uniting with the 

 Foss Road until it came to Bath-Easton, where it branched 

 off, ascended Bathford Hill, and made straight for Marlbro,' 

 the Roman Cunetio. 



The lines of these roads outside the city walls, are marked 

 by ancient Roman interments. 



Miiitaiy It seems doubtful if Bath was an ancient Mili- 



station. tary Station, although fortified and rendered 

 capable of defence. Monumental stones erected to com- 

 memorate soldiers of the 2nd and the 20th legion, (the one 

 stationed at Caerleon in S. Wales, the other at Chester,) and a 

 monument to a soldier of the Spanish cavalry, have been dis- 

 covered, but the soldiers whose names are recorded may have 

 come to Bath for the benefit of the Thermal Springs and the 

 recovery of health. Votive altars also remain which had been 

 set up as thank-offerings for benefits received from the Springs. 



An inscribed stone which was discovered at Combe Down, 

 a mile from Bath, S.W., about forty years ago, records the 

 restoration of the " Principia,'' or Officers-quarters by Nevius, 

 a freedman of the Emperor, Pro salvte imp. caes. m. avr. 

 Antonini pii felicis. It had been used for the purpose 

 of covering a stone coffin of a later date, but is now in 

 the Museum of the Literary Institution. This leads to the 

 idea that there must have been a military force stationed in 

 Bath, though not probably a large one. At Caerleon, we 

 have the second legion permanently located, a colony planted 



