Bowness on Solway

The fort at Bowness-on-Solway marks the westerly end of Hadrian’s Wall. The fort is now partially covered by the modern village, of which the main road runs through the fort, crossing the east and west gates.

The Roman name for the fort at Bowness-on-Solway is recorded as Maia on the Rudge Cup, Amiens Patera and Ilam Pan. It is thought that the name means “larger”, which may have been referring to the fact that it was the second largest fort on the wall, covering almost 3ha. Due to its size the fort may have held a large double strength unit during its period of occupation.

There is little evidence of the names of the cohorts that garrisoned the fort. Two inscriptions have been found that date to AD251-3 which record the name of a tribune, a Sulpicius Secundianus, but it does not record the unit that he commanded.

It would seem that the fort was still in use for some of the 4th Century, as a coin of Gratian (AD367-75) was discovered at the site. It has been noted, however, that later 4th Century material is lacking, which suggests that it may have fallen out of use by the end of the century. This also corresponds with the forts absence in the Notitia Dignitatum, a document produced in the late 4th Century.