Moresby

The fort at Moresby, now partially covered by the churchyard, is located on a flat hill facing the sea. At the foot of the cliff, a small natural harbour once existed and was probably used during the Roman period.

An inscription discovered on the site commemorates the building of the fort by the Twentieth Legion during the reign of Hadrian (AD117-138). As the inscription describes Hadrian as “Father of his Country”, a title which he received in the latter part of his reign, it suggests that the fort was constructed between the years AD128-138.

A number of inscriptions attest to the presence of the Cohors II Lingonum, the Second Cohort of Lingones. In addition three other inscriptions record the garrisoning of the Cohors II Thracum, Second Cohort of Thracians at the fort.

As we know that the Second Cohort of Thracians was stationed at Moresby, and this unit is noted in the Notitia Dignitatum as being garrisoned at a Gabrosentum, it would seem reasonable to suggest that this was the Roman name for the Moresby fort. This name is thought to mean “goat-path”.

The discovery of a coin of Constantine suggests that the fort was still in use during the early years of the 4th Century.