Pons Aelius, Roman fort in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
Pons Aelius is a Roman fort in Newcastle upon Tyne in northeast England, located at the eastern end of Hadrian's Wall. The site included barracks for soldiers, granaries for grain and equipment, and administrative buildings controlling the river crossing.
The fort was built around the year 122 during Emperor Hadrian's visit to Britain and marked the eastern endpoint of the wall. The garrison remained active until about 400, when Roman military presence on the island ended.
Altar stones dedicated to Jupiter, Neptune, and Oceanus show which gods the Roman soldiers worshipped here. The finds suggest the garrison held rituals asking for protection of the river crossing and safe journeys.
The remains of the fort lie beneath the current Newcastle Castle, and some foundations have been exposed during archaeological excavations. Visitors can learn about the structure and function of the Roman site through information panels.
The name means Bridge of Aelius and refers to Emperor Hadrian's family name as well as the bridge over the Tyne. This connection shows how important the crossing was for Roman control of the region.
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