Roman London - What Lies Beneath

Beneath the modern London Wall is hidden the remains of the west gate of the Roman fort, built around AD 120. This is rarely open to the public.

Marble sculpture of Bacchus from the Temple of Mithras, with Bacchus as the central figure. Inscribed ‘HOMINIBVS VAGIS VITAM’ – (You give life to wandering mortals)

The amphitheatre is a key part of the day. Found in the 1990s, it is now on permanent display beneath the Guildhall Art Gallery.

Just outside the Museum of London you can find the remains of the City of London's walls. The bastion is medieval and the brickwork is 19th century.

This medieval bastion shows many periods of use, but it was only properly understood when it was excavated in 1946 by Professor Grimes. He discovered here the first evidence for the Roman fort.

The 'Camomile Street' soldier, a tombstone found in the foundations of a later Roman bastion in the 19th century, is just one of many examples that show that the Roman army had a key role in Londinium.

Arguably the best examples found in Roman Britain, these sculptures from the Temple of Mithras were found in 1954 and are displayed with others found in the 1880s.

This looks like a bit of derelict land, but in actual fact contains 1900 years of London's history, from the building of the Roman fort through to the modern buildings which still follow the alignments of the city wall.

Introduction to the Roman Gallery of the Museum of London by two people who know the collection best!
Special access to the hidden world of the Roman London including Cripplegate Fort & Billingsgate Roman House and Baths
On foot discovering the best of Roman Londinium

Destroyed during the rebellion by Boudica during the 1st Century AD, Roman Londinium was quickly rebuilt to become a flourishing town. In its heyday, the city was equipped with a fort, amphitheatre, large public baths, temples and substantial commercial facilities as befitted the capital of Roman Britain. Linking Britain to the rest of the Roman Empire and housing the substantial treasury, Londinium remained a wealthy town although its population gradually dwindled and a large defensive wall was built to surround the town.

Much has been discovered by excavations over the last 50 years, and the story so far is beautifully told in the Museum of London, which is adjacent to and just outside the Roman Wall. John Shepherd and Jenny Hall are both former Curators of the Roman galleries at the Museum of London, and give a first hand account of the latest digs and discoveries. Uniquely, this Study Day also gives you chance to go underground, exploring the secret Roman city hidden beneath the modern streets.

Getting into places that the general public doesn't often see. Visiting the Museum of London with the best-informed people. A very good lunch! - Guest, 2015

Themes

Romans

Itinerary 2017
What's Included
Reviews
Linked Tours
Study Days

Itinerary 2017

Day 1

Meeting time / place
10:00 at the Museum of London

End time / place
16:45 near Tower Hill Tube Station

Morning
Guided tour of the Roman Gallery in the Museum of London, including such varied artefacts as marble sculpture from the Temple of Mithras, a pot of Roman face cream and a Roman leather bikini!

Lunch
At a nearby restaurant.

Afternoon
Walking tour of some of the sites, including special access to Cripplegate Fort, a visit to the amphitheatre beneath the Guildhall and special access to Billingsgate House and Baths.

What's Included

Expert Guide Lecturer
Lunch - At a nearby restaurant
Fact Sheet - Including background information about your Guide Lecturer, historical context for the Day, detailed itinerary, a suggested reading list and directions to the venue

Reviews

Nov 1

Excellent speakers Excellent lunch Guided tour of Museum of London Access to largely unknown sites on an excellent walking tour of Roman London

Guest, 2015

Nov 1

The knowledge and expertise of the lecturers; everything was explained very clearly and in detail. The combination of museum visit and walking tour. Meeting up with 4 people from the Pompeii trip we went on in April (and John Shepherd, who was also the lecturer on that). The lovely lunch (we are always well fed by Andante!). The provision of a short reading list was thoughtful.

Guest, 2015

Jul 25

"We were so privileged to get access to 101 Thames Street [Billingsgate House and Baths]. Even just walking over the terrain and realising why and where it sloped, made the extended site more real. As always with Andante the lecturers were super. They are friendly and approachable and explain without being patronising. It makes the 'learning' so enjoyable."

Guest, 2013

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An expert guide to accompany you throughout the Day
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