The largest known Roman residence in Britain — a palatial complex of courtyards, mosaic floors and formal gardens at the head of Chichester Harbour.
Fishbourne Roman Palace is the largest known Roman building in Britain and one of the most impressive Roman residences north of the Alps. Discovered accidentally in 1960 during water-main laying, the site preserves the remains of a palace of astonishing scale: four wings surrounding a formal garden courtyard some 100 metres square, its north wing alone containing over 50 rooms. The palace was constructed around AD 75, replacing an earlier military and administrative complex at the head of Chichester Harbour.
Fishbourne preserves the finest collection of in situ Roman mosaic floors in Britain, including the celebrated Cupid on a Dolphin mosaic in a room attributed to a young occupant of the palace. The formal garden has been partially replanted using evidence from soil marks and pollen analysis to recreate the bedding trenches of Roman box hedging. The identity of the palace's original occupant has long been debated: the British client king Tiberius Claudius Cogidubnus (also known as Togidubnus), who was granted Roman citizenship and remained a loyal ally of Rome, is the most compelling candidate. The palace was damaged by fire around AD 270 and never rebuilt, its ruins later quarried for building materials.
The largest and most complete Roman palace in Britain, Fishbourne provides unparalleled evidence for the highest levels of Roman material culture and architectural ambition in the province.
Initial military supply base followed by timber and masonry proto-palace buildings. Evidence of high-status occupation from the Claudian conquest period.
The great palace constructed in its final form. Mosaic floors, painted plaster walls, imported marble and an elaborate formal garden.
Several phases of remodelling and redecoration including new mosaic styles in the late 2nd and early 3rd centuries.
Severe fire destroys much of the north wing. The palace is not rebuilt; gradual demolition and robbing of materials follows.
The Cupid on a Dolphin mosaic — one of the finest Roman mosaics in Britain
Remains of a formal Roman garden including bedding trenches for box hedges, replanted using Roman species
Evidence of imported Italian marble and painted wall plaster of the highest quality
A military phase assemblage including amphorae, Samian ware and military equipment predating the palace
Traces of hypocausts (underfloor heating) and a sophisticated water supply and drainage system
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