Roman Barracks

[Gluteus Maximus]

Hi Neil,
When you have time could you share the what the main construction differences were as its a subject that I don't know enough about. I would like to learn more about, having slept in the barracks at Arbeia.When questioned in the past by the public all I could do was point to the guides and information boards!!!I can tell they look different, but as to how they were built,dates/cutoff points I bow my head in shame :oops:
Any advise on reading matter on the subject?

John; it seems that barracks in the late third century were often rebuilt to accommodate the families of soldiers, as they appear to be more chaotic and less formal in appearance - more like irregular terraced houses, rather than the neat lines we all know and love. Here is a couple of plans of the same barrack block at Housesteads, with the Hadrianic/Severan one below, and the rebuilt 3rd/4th century building above:


These new type barracks, known generally as 'chalet' barracks, use the old walls of the contuburnia rooms as walls for seperate, free standing buildings. Some of the internal walls are demolished entirely to create a bigger living space, whilst new internal walls are added. This change in appearance and function would indicate a drop in the effective garrison from 960 to about 300. Late Roman limitanae units were apparantly 300 strong.

This link:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Housesteads-Garrison-Hadrians-Revealing-History/dp/075242890X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234271511&sr=8-2
has a good illustration of the late period barracks. Many of the forts at Hadrian's Wall underwent this change, and even new forts such as High Rochester, whilst keeping to the old style playing-card shape, had the new type barracks, a row of disorderly chalets.