CLC Stage 27 Culture Terms

Principia

The headquarters of the legion

Fossa

Ditch; This surrounded the fortress

Praetorium

The house of the commander of the legion

Sacellum

The chapel of the fortress; it held the aquila

Aquila

An image of an eagle perched with outspread wings on the top of a pole; The greatest disgrace for the legion was to lose this

Aquilifer

This member of the 1st cohort carried the image of an eagle which represented the spirit of the legion

Horrea

The granaries

Contubernium

A group of eight men who shared two rooms in the barracks

Amphitheatrum

This building was used mainly for displays of tactics, weapons training, and ceremonial parades

Portae

There were four of these, one on each side of the fortress

Via quintana

This road ran across the camp behind the praetorium

Via principalis

This road ran across the camp in front of the principia

Via praetoria

This road led from the main gate to the principia

Thermae

The baths, located near the main gate of the camp

Barracks

Living quarters for the Soldiers; These buildings took up the most space in the fortress

Vallum

A wall of earth which surrounded the fortress, called a "rampart" in English

Carcer

The prison

Palisades

These spikes might be placed in the ditches to protect the camp

Valetudinarium

The hospital

Basilica

This was the heart of the legion, where the commander of the legion conducted business

Domus urbana

Italian style luxurious town house

vigilia

series of eight, three-hour watches

buccina

a type of trumpet. It marked the start of every new and the change of each watch.

buccinator

buccina player, who signaled each change of

vici

settlements around the fortress, merchants who sell to the soldiers as well as common law families of the non-officers.