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Dover: Lock and Key of the Kingdom
Roman Dover
It was about 9am on 26th August 55BC when Julius Caesar arrived off Dover with his invasion
fleet. From their ships the Romans could see a vast number of well armed Britons lining the
cliffs. Caesar decided to find a more suitable landing place, finally landing near Deal later the
same day.
Roman Dover, the British port closest to the rest of the Roman Empire was a thriving town,
believed to have covered at least a five hectare area along the Dour valley. The Romans called
the town DUBRIS after DUBRAS, the British name meaning 'waters'. The Roman town had a
large harbour, flanked by two lighthouses and three successive forts. The Classis Britannica,
the Roman Navy in Britain occupied one fort from AD130-208.
Until 1970 little was known about Roman Dover other than odd finds during building work in
the town centre. That year plans for redevelopment between the Market Square and York
Street led to excavations which revealed some major remains of Dover’s Roman past.
fleet. From their ships the Romans could see a vast number of well armed Britons lining the
cliffs. Caesar decided to find a more suitable landing place, finally landing near Deal later the
same day.
Roman Dover, the British port closest to the rest of the Roman Empire was a thriving town,
believed to have covered at least a five hectare area along the Dour valley. The Romans called
the town DUBRIS after DUBRAS, the British name meaning 'waters'. The Roman town had a
large harbour, flanked by two lighthouses and three successive forts. The Classis Britannica,
the Roman Navy in Britain occupied one fort from AD130-208.
Until 1970 little was known about Roman Dover other than odd finds during building work in
the town centre. That year plans for redevelopment between the Market Square and York
Street led to excavations which revealed some major remains of Dover’s Roman past.
Click on the links below to find out more about the
individual sites.
individual sites.
