Clausentum

Clausentum was a Roman port city in Britain. In the Antonine Itinerary of the place is called as the starting point of the route of Noviomagus regnorum after Londinium. The remains of the town are probably in what is now Bitterne, a suburb of Southampton, although the Roman settlement near Wickham was discussed as a location. In the Antonine Itinerary ( road route VII) is in fact indicated a distance of Clausentum after Noviomagus Reginorum ( Chichester ) of 20 Roman miles. The distance from Chichester to the locality in Southampton today is about 30 Roman miles (45 km). A scribal (XX instead of XXX) or an indication in Gallic miles is therefore considered for the identification of the Fund place in Bitterne with the Roman Clausentum into consideration.

The site in Bitterne ( Southampton ) is right on the Itchen, with the River formed a loop here, and thereby lay the place on a sort of peninsula. Thus the city from three sides was well protected by water. The place was relatively small, but was walled. There were some inscriptions, including milestones and a dedication to an otherwise unknown goddess Ancasta. Various coins found evidence of the Roman settlement.