The University of Birmingham has been educating students since the early 19th century, but education on the site goes back as far as the 1st century.
Metchley Roman Fort was an army barracks for infantry and cavalry of the Roman army. Built in 48 AD, mostly from earth and timber, the fort housed up to as many as a thousand soldiers at any time - possibly Roman's from the XIV or XX legions.
The XIV Roman Legion initially campaigned in Germania, but were moved to Britain as part of Caesar's invasion. They built a fortress at Mancetter, near modern day Nuneaton in Warwickshire and are thought to have taken part in the Battle of Watling Street in AD 60. Mancetter is on the road network just north of Metchley Fort, so it's very likely they were once stationed in Birmingham also.
The XX Roman Legion was also active around the West Midlands region from Gloucester to Monmouthshire. Likely to including soldiers from Spain and the Mediterranean, the legion was active quelling revolts from Boudica throughout the 1st century in the Midlands, around Staffordshire and along Watling Street
The fort was a stopping point in the West Midlands, between Droitwich and Wall (Staffordshire) - along Icknield Street. The fort at Metchley was built to pacify an area of the Midlands known for tribal disturbances during the Roman era.
As the Romans turned their attention to campaigning further north in England, Metchley Fort became a supply dept for soldiers. By AD 80, the fort was abandoned by the Romans, although still believed to have been occupied for a further hundred years.
The site in Birmingham was excavated in the early 20th Century and along with the fort outline, spearheads, Roman pottery and trenching tools were discovered. A reconstruction of one of the gatehouses was build in the 1950s, but destroyed in the 1960s by vandals. Some evidence of Metchley Fort remains today, with earthworks visible as you walk from the university train station and past the university medical school. Information boards can be found along the route.
Lunt Roman Fort in Coventry gives a good idea of how the fort would have looked in ancient times.
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