Gobannium

Gobannium was a

Roman Wales and lies today under the market town of Abergavenny, Monmouthshire in south east Wales.^[1]

Documentary evidence

Gobannium was first recorded in the Antonine Itinerary of the late 2nd century AD as 'Gobannio' sited some 12 miles from Burrium, (modern Usk) and 22 miles south of Magnis (near Kenchester, Herefordshire). Gobannium is also mentioned in the Ravenna Cosmography as 'Bannio', sited between Isca Augusta the major legionary fortress covering South Wales (Caerleon) further down the River Usk, and Bremia (Llanio, Ceredigion).

The name is thought to have a

Brythonic language origin and linked to Gobannus and Gofannon, and may mean 'the river of the blacksmiths'.^[2]

Location

Gobannium lies in the broad valley of the

British Bronze Age. The valley was certainly used as a major prehistoric route through the land of the Silures between the coastal plain of the Caldicot and Wentloog Levels and the Brecon Beacons

.

The invading Romans, under

Y Gaer, Brecon and with links northwards to Watling Street, eastwards to Blestium (Monmouth) and Glevum (Gloucester).^{[citation needed}

]

spur forming a steep incline above the nearby River Usk at a point where the smaller River Gavenny meets it - a naturally defensible site that may well have been settled or fortified previously and that commands clear views across the surrounding landscape. Level ground on the spur offered the scope for a fort layout and subsequently space for an additional civil settlement.^{[citation needed}

]