Ratae Corieltauvorum

Ratae Corieltavorum (also Ratae Coritanorum ) is the ancient name of the Roman Leicester, in the province of Britain. The city was inhabited in pre-Roman times and one of the main places of Corielravi, a Celtic tribe. In Roman times it was the capital of the Civitas Corielravi.

With the conquest of Britain by the Romans and the Corielravi came under their rule. At the site of Celtic place a military camp was probably built. The ancient settlement was further continued and developed into a vicus. To 80 AD was probably abandoned military camp, where the civilian settlement continued to exist. By 100 AD, the town was provided with a checkered map. In the center of a large open space was used as a forum, although it initially was no Forumsbauten. It was not until the reign of Emperor Hadrian, a real Forumsbau was built with the basilica. Perhaps this was done directly under the influence of the emperor who visited Britain and the in other places in the province reinforced construction are observed.

The forum was 118 × 81 meters tall and was smaller than a insula, which was therefore divided in the east by a new street was created. The forum consisted of an open court with porticoes on the exterior, but also adorned the courtyard. Behind the rows of government offices and shops were located. To the north stood the Basilica.

Around the same time a large public bath west of the Forum was built. It is today one of the best preserved spas in England. The ruins are still partly to several meters high. In the same insula was also a temple, in which there might be evidence of a Mithraeum, although this interpretation is not certain. The city was supplied from the south through an aqueduct with water. At the turn of the second to the third century AD, the city received a macellum ( market hall ), which points to the special economic importance of the city.

Throughout the city there were mosaics. 1830 was found in the west of the city at the " Bath Lane " a 6.30 × 6.70 meters large mosaic showing geometric patterns and is also known as Blackfriars Pavement. It has three times three octagons, which consist of geometric or stylized floral motifs. The mosaic tiles are very small. There is a rich color palette. The Moaik probably dates to the second century and is one of the best from all over Britain. Another mosaic that was found near the thermal baths is constructed similarly and shows in the middle of a peacock. It dates probably in the second century. In a partially excavated house, which stood to the north of Forum extensive remains were recovered from high-quality wall murals. They are among the best preserved in Britain.

The city was adopted in the third century city wall of stone. At the end of the fourth century burned much of the city down. Above all, the public buildings were not rebuilt, but there is evidence that the place remained throughout, but in the post-Roman period is still at a modest level, inhabited.