Maryport lies on the mouth of the river Ellen and under the Romans they both shared the name Alauna. The visible fort is Hadrianic. Though there has been discussion as to whether it was part of the original defence scheme of 122, or a later addition in the modifications of 124. It is possible that Alauna was built upon an earlier, Trajanic, fort although this has not yet been proven. It was built by detachments from the second and twentieth legions. There is however an inscription in the collection which is inscribed to the 20th legion which omits the titles Valeria Victrix which were awarded in 86. This, together with the tombstone of Vireus Paulus which shows the words Dis Manibus in full could be evidence for a Flavian fort.

The fort served to guard the harbour and was a supply depot, as well as being a garrison of auxiliary troops. It is assumed that it was continually occupied during the second century but there may have been breaks in 139/40 to 155 and 158 to 163 during the occupation of the Antonine Wall. Milefortlets in the surrounding areas were largely in disuse by the 3rd century.

To the south, east, and northeast of the fort lay a vicus; a number of altars were found by the roadways of the northeast part of it. This led to speculation that there had been an earlier parade ground on the site. In the area of the vicus, up to 1997, the only areas excavated had found a strip house and a number of temples. Aerial photography does reveal 2 main roads and a number of buildings remain to be excavated and in the 18th century the visible remains showed streets paved with worn flagstones. The parade ground to the south of the fort was destroyed by housing developments in the 1920’s, as were the parts of the vicus to the south and east of the fort.

Regiments and commanders at Maryport

1) Cohors I Hispanorum Milliaria Equitata (First Cohort of Spaniards) 122? To 138

(there may have been two units serving in Britain with this name. Aelia suggests an honorific title granted under the emperor Hadrian and it is very unlikely that members of the unit would not have used it)

Officers:

a) M. Maenius Agrippa, b Camerinum Italy, served in expeditio britannica (c.122) and was a friend of Hadrian. Served at Maryport 123/4 to 126/7 as Tribune of Cohors I Hispanorum later became prefect of the Classis Britannica and ultimately was procurator of the province.

b) C. Caballius Priscus b Verona? Served at Maryport 128 to 131 as tribune of Cohors I Hispanorum

c) M Censorius (M.f. Voltinia) Cornelianus, b. Nimes (Nemausus) in France, served as either Praefectus or Praepositus of Cohors I Hispanorum when it probably underwent a reduction in size from 1,000 to 500 strong. It is possible this reduction was due to him taking a detachment of troops to fight in Judaea in 132 where he joined the 10th legion Fretensis as a centurion.

d) L. Cammius Maximus, b. Solva in Austria, served as praefectus of Cohors I Hispanorum from 133 to 135 and then later moved on to Pannonia to be Tribune of the Cohors XVIII Voluntariorum.

e) L. Antistius (L.f. Quirina) Lupus Verianus, b. Sicca (Le Kef) in Africa, served as Praefectus of Cohors I Hispanorum in 136.

f) Hestrius Novellus, b. Italy?, Praefectus of Cohors I Hispanorum in 137?

g) Unknown

The higher rank is that of tribune and was for officers commanding a milliaria unit of 1,000 men. The lower rank of Prefect was for officers commanding a small quingenaria unit of 500 men. The rank of Prefect of the Classis Britannica (British Fleet) is of a different level entirely and is a much higher rank.

The altars built by these men were buried after around 50 years. Some of them show wear, possibly from soldiers sharpening their swords on them.

2) Cohors I Delmatarum (First Cohort of Dalmatians, modern Croatia) 139 to 158 or mid late 160’s

a) Paulus (P.f. Palatina) Postumius Aelianus served as Praefectus of Cohors I Delmatarum

b) L. Caecilius Vegetus

3) Cohors I Baetasiorum Civium Romanorum ob Virtutem et Fidem (1st Cohort of Baetasians, modern Holland) mid 160’s to 180’s received citizenship under Antoninus Pius between 139 and 142.

a) Ulpius Titianus was Praefectus of Cohors I Baetasiorum for his first command.

b) T Attius Tutor, b. Solva in Noricum, was praefectus of Cohors I Baetasiorum. After 2 further postings he went on to command a Batavian unit of 1,000 men in Dacia.

c) In the 3rd century C. Cornelius Peregrinus, b Saldae in Mauretania Caesariensis, was Tribune of the Cohort

d) P Cornelius P.f. Gaius was a prefect of the Cohort, which at this time was a quingenaria equitata.

Other units attested to be at Alauna were vexillations from Leg XX Valeria Victrix, and Legio II Augusta during the 2nd century when they built the fort.

Sources:
Roman Maryport and its settlers: Essays in memory of Michael G Jarrett, Wilson, J.R.A., 1997
The Senhouse Roman Museum Maryport, A Guide to the Netherhall collection