Page 41 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

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◀ DORMITORY
CONTUBERNIA SUITE
The eight soldiers of
a contubernium slept
in the larger room
of their suite, either ARBEIA FOR
under woolen
blankets on simple
beds or on straw-
filled mattresses
on the floor. T

◀ SMALL ROOM
The smaller room
of a contubernium’s
suite was used as
either a living area
or a storage space
for the soldiers’
military equipment.

▲ BARRACK BLOCKS
Each plastered-stone block housed five
contubernia. There were a few small windows,
and ventilators were set into the roof.

▲ INTERIOR BARRACK WALLS ▲ BATHHOUSE LATRINES
The internal walls were made of wattle-and-daub—a There was also probably a bathhouse for the troops
woven wooden lattice (wattle) daubed with a mixture outside the fort. Its communal latrines lacked privacy,
of straw, mud, and animal dung. but they had high-quality plumbing.

OFFICER’S HOUSE

▲ COURTYARD ▲ HEATED BEDROOM
The commanding officer lived in a comfortable The commander’s bedrooms were large, decorated,
house within the fort. It had an open courtyard and warmed by the hypocaust (underfloor heating).
and rooms leading off a colonnaded walkway. Beds were often richly carved or painted.