Fishbourne Palace
 Roman Britain |
The chance discovery in 1960, and subsequent excavation of this site, proved one of the great success stories of post-war British archaeology.
The initial occupation at Fishbourne was military and a base was established there soon after the invasion in AD43; the site most probably acted as a supply depot for the nearby fort at Roman Chichester. In addition, traces of timber-built civilian houses dating from the same period, have also been unearthed on the same site. However, it was the discovery of stonework belonging to the great palace, built from about AD75, that has justly brought fame to Fishbourne.
Despite visible remains of this huge palace being extensive, it remains a sobering fact that only a portion of the whole complex has been revealed - unfortunately, much still lies buried beneath the nearby A27. In all, this was a palace of some 10 acres extent, a monumental complex of colonnades, halls and rooms, luxuriously adorned with painted plaster, stucco and many splendid mosaics. For a 1st century AD palace, it is without equal outside of Italy, and represents a slice of Roman Italian high-life transported to Rome's furthest province.
The fortunate owner of Fishbourne Palace is likely to have been Tiberius Claudius Cogidubnus, who had established a kingdom at Chichester and then fostered "Romanisation" of his territory in return for which the Romans respected his authority as a client-king. Fishbourne was a reward for the Celtic king's loyalty to Rome.
The spectacular mosaics are one of the highlights at Fishbourne, displayed in varying stages of completeness; as many as 20 are on view and include geometric shapes, a partial Medusa head, peacocks and perhaps the most pleasing, a winged cupid riding a dolphin. Another little gem is the replanted Roman garden; excavation revealed the pattern of the bedding-trenches, which have been followed in the reconstruction work.
This whole extraordinary site is further enhanced by a marvellous little museum tracing the 9 years of dedicated work, which resulted in the excavations seen today. In addition, there is also a Roman Garden Museum for enthusiasts of British and Italian gardens.
Historical Sites to visit in Sussex:
- Arundel
- Arundel Castle
- Battle & Battle Abbey
- Goodwood
- Bodiam & Bodiam Castle
- Brighton
- Hastings
- Hastings Castle
- Rye
- Waverley Abbey