lanarkshire-1978/03_197

Transcription

GLOSSARY

Numerus. An irregular unit of the Roman army, probably smaller than a cohort but larger than a century, composed
of troops levied in a frontier area for service elsewhere (Latin).
Oppidum. An Iron Age fort, the exceptional size and commanding position of which suggests that it may have been
a tribal centre (Latin).
Patera. A Roman bronze saucepan (Latin).
Peltate, see Ansate.
Porta decumana, porta praetoria, porta principalis dextra, porta principalis sinistra. Respectively, the gates situated
at the rear, front, right-hand side and left-hand side of a Roman fort or temporary camp, viewed from the
headquarters building (Latin).
Praesidium. A Roman fortified post (Latin).
Praetentura. The part of the interior of a Roman fort that lies in front of the via principalis (q.v.) (Latin).
Praetorium. The residence of the officer commanding a Roman fort (Latin).
Principia. The headquarters building of a Roman fort (Latin).
Pulley-ring. A small grooved ring with lateral perforations, probably a belt fastener, commonly made of jet or
bone, and usually found in association with Beaker pottery.
Quingenary (quingenaria), see Cohors.
Retentura. The part of the interior of a Roman fort or temporary camp that lies behind the buildings of the central
range (Latin).
Ring-ditch house. A circular timber-framed house, having an internal or external ditch which may be visible on the
surface before excavation.
Ring-groove house. A circular timber-framed house, the posts of which stood in a continuous bedding-trench; owing
to subsequent settlement of the filling, the trench is sometimes visible before excavation as a shallow groove
on the surface of the ground.
Sacellum. The regimental chapel in the headquarters building of a Roman fort (Latin).
Samian. Pottery of superior quality, usually glossy red in colour, imported into Britain in the Roman period.
Scarp. Of a ditch, the inner slope as opposed to the counterscarp, or outer slope.
Sole-plate. A rebated horizontal piece of wood that acts as a foundation for a vertical post.
Terret. In horse harness, a ring through which the reins are passed.
Titulum. A short stretch of bank and ditch sited in front of the entrance to a Roman fort or temporary camp as a
protection against direct assault (Latin).
Torc. An ornament of twisted metal, usually penannular, worn around the neck.
Vexillation. A body of Roman soldiers on detachment from their parent unit.
Via Principalis. In a Roman fort or temporary camp, the main lateral road that passes in front of the headquarters
building (Latin).
Voussoir. One of a series of wedge-shaped stones used to form an arch.

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