03-10-2012, 01:40 AM
I would say that there are indeed some good examples of Roman gateways around (Treir, and Rome) as said, however Xanten was of course a Colonia the same for Eboracum that was the capital of Brittania Inferior and would have had tremendous gateways such as the reconstruction we do see at Xanten.
When we look at forts gates along Hadrian's Wall and also Arbeia the foundations just don't look strong enough to be able to support such massive three storey structures that we see today (Xanten yes Arbeia no)
I even don't like the reconstruction pictures we tend to see of such huge towers at the Milecastle north gates on Hadrian's Wall, for here people are running off with the idea of 10 meter plus height.
Indeed the structure of the milecastle north gate just west of Housesteads fort tells us they were not such massive towers.
When we look at forts gates along Hadrian's Wall and also Arbeia the foundations just don't look strong enough to be able to support such massive three storey structures that we see today (Xanten yes Arbeia no)
I even don't like the reconstruction pictures we tend to see of such huge towers at the Milecastle north gates on Hadrian's Wall, for here people are running off with the idea of 10 meter plus height.
Indeed the structure of the milecastle north gate just west of Housesteads fort tells us they were not such massive towers.
Brian Stobbs
