The Environs of Bath. 207 



It seems likely that Alexander Neckam (a.d. 1157-1217), 

 whose verses are cited in Gale's Essay on the four great 

 Roman ways, may have been the Author of the imaginary 

 derivation. 



" Intrat et auget aquas Sabrinse fluminas Osca 

 Prseceps, testis erit Julia Strata mihi." 



" I am apt to think," says Gale, " this Strata Julia came 

 near Strigull Castle, the word Strigull, or Strigool, as it is 

 also wrote, seeming to be formed from Strata Julia, the 

 course of it also corresponding both to Oldbury and 

 Caerleon.* 



That AqucB Suits, an important city in Roman times, was 

 in direct communication with the military roads, is apparent 

 from the fourteenth route in the Antonine Itinerary. It is 

 therefore evident that the original roads were at an early date 

 diverted to include Aquce Suits in their route. The map 

 shows these original lines of roads and their subsequent devi- 

 ation. Hampton-down Camp is the centre to which they 

 originally led, and the deviations were made to include 

 Aqua Suits. These deviations are in the Fosse-way from 

 the letter p to q, and in the other roads from Q to r and s, 

 and R to T, and these diverted roads were eventually the 

 more frequented, to the total or partial abandonment of 

 those through Hampton Camp. 



The map is by no means complete, and consequently 

 must be accepted as a sketch map to scale, although nothing 

 has been indicated on it that it is not believed can be borne 

 out by ancient roads or fences. 



* Hearne's Leland, vi. 130. 



