Carpow

Source: Carpow

Carpow was a large fortress, covering 11 ha (27.5 acres) on the banks of the Tay near Abernethy. It was built to house between 2,000 and 3,000 men. Two legions that served here, or were at least involved in the building of the fort, were the Sixth Victrix and the Second Augusta. They have been identified from inscriptions and tile stamps.

Legio VI Victrix was based in York and worked on the building and rebuilding of Hadrian’s Wall.

Legio II Augusta was based at Caerleon in South Wales but was known to have been involved in the construction and reconstruction of military works in northern Britain.

The date of Carpow is inferred from coin and pottery evidence. It seems to have been occupied for only a short time, from c AD 180-220. Carpow was probably an advance base for the campaigns waged against the Caledonian and Maeatae tribes by Emperor Septimius Severus and his son. Caracalla, The fort was deliberately demolished and abandoned within a few years of Severus’ death in AD 211,

Structures discovered inside the fort included a bathhouse served by running water, barracks, headquarters and a granary