Roman forts were often built on the foundations of camps. In areas that needed a more permanent presence, forts were constructed. Most forts were designed and constructed in the same way.

Forts would often sit on or straddle the junctions of important roads or coastal ports, in the best possible strategic position.

This allowed the quick movement of soldiers to places where they were needed.

In this example, you can clearly see how the fort is bisected by two main roads. The  river served two purposes. Firstly it was a source of fresh water. 
This is of course very important in maintaining the health of the legionaries who are stationed there- and the health of the civilians. 

Secondly, the river also served as a defensive barrier to any would-be attackers. The attackers would find it very difficult to cross the river and it would be almost impossible to surround this particular fort, and with the constant supply of fresh water and the use of the river for communication, it would be very hard to lay siege to.

Settlements also tended to “spring-up” around the early forts which later grew into the modern cities and towns of Britain. 

One example of this is Colchester. What was once the important Roman army station of Camulodunum bordering the hostile Iceni tribes’ territory (made famous by Boudicca’s rebellion) is still an important training centre for the British army.

This modern photograph clearly shows the grass markings that betray the typical grid system that the Romans followed. 

These fortifications could easily accommodate up to an entire legion of soldiers- nearly 5000 men. The settlements that sprung up outside began with the people that followed the armies around on their travels. 

Most of these people would be made up of merchants and later the families of the legionaries themselves.

One of the main parts of the Roman army’s success was their idea of protecting what they had taken. This particular fortification has four lines of defence.
At the top of the mound there would have stood a wooden or stone construction.

The fort clearly dominates the surrounding area and would have been very difficult for any local tribes to attack.

This fine example of Roman military architecture lies at the coastal site of Pevensey. To many Britons this type of fortification must have seemed invincible. The turrets are almost circular, designed to deflect the hits of objects thrown at them. This style of building defences was not repeated in Britain until after the Crusades. Another example of how ahead of their time the Romans were.

This example of the typical hut clearly shows how contemporary Britons were way behind the Romans in terms of their technology. It must have been terrifying to be fighting against a structure like those of the Romans.