Exploring Roman Chester: Then and Now

Today in Base 5, we continued our local history study by investigating how Chester has changed since Roman times.

We explored the structure of Deva Victrix, looking closely at important features including the fortress walls, gateways, barracks, granaries, roads and amphitheatre. We considered not only what each feature was used for, but why the Romans designed their fortress in this way.

The children then compared images of Roman Chester with Chester today, identifying examples of both change and continuity. They discovered how the area once used as a Roman harbour later became part of the land around Chester Racecourse, how the city has expanded far beyond its defensive walls, and how the purpose of the River Dee has changed over time.

It was particularly interesting to see how, almost 2,000 years later, the Roman influence on Chester can still be identified in the city today.