The Roman Empire had a colossal impact on Europe and Great Britain. Their invasions of the British Isles and settlements changed the course of history, levelling up civilisations willing to bend to Roman rules and taxes. Of course, Britain was famously one of the most rebellious regions that Rome ultimately couldn’t fully conquer.
As the Romans went further north and further west, resistance seemed to grow. It’s because of this general state of play that it’s quite remarkable that there was such a strong Roman presence as far west as what is now our Droitwich Spa.
To this day, a fascination with Ancient Rome rides high in pop culture, so here, we’ll be delving into all the ways locals and visitors can scratch that Roman itch.
Relentless Intrigue in the Days of Ancient Rome
There is a great amount of interest across Britain in the many ancient civilisations that have been lost to history. The Ancient Greeks, Ancient Egyptians, and the Vikings have long been of incredible intrigue among the Brits, as have several African kingdoms, such as those of the Asante, Aksum, Mali, and Benin.
Even so, the Romans remain of incredible interest, even to the extent that it caused a bit of a stir a couple of years ago. Online trends aside, perhaps the greatest element that’s played in favour of this enduring love of Ancient Rome is simply how much we have to go off of in recounting the times of this absurdly powerful civilisation.
Not only are the fingerprints of their influence found everywhere, particularly in Britain, but they kept grand records of their exploits, recorded the feats of their greatest leaders and citizens, and built grand monuments to their legend. Further, these incredible feats have inspired a great many modern-day creatives to inspire their awe.
Entertainment is just as obsessed with Ancient Rome as we are, which can be seen from TV to online slots. In fact, among the most popular games at the Megaways casino, you’ll spot Centurion Megaways and Pompeii MegaReels Megaways sitting alongside classic Ancient Greek and Norse slots.
One uses the erupting Vesuvius as its premise, while the other follows a vaunted Roman Centurion in the far less dangerous hills of old Italy. On-screen, one of the best TV shows based on Ancient Rome is looking to rejoin the fray. Spartacus: House of Ashur will soon propel us back to the grotty world of Roman politics and gladiatorial combat.
Finding Ancient Rome in Droitwich Spa
When the Romans came this far west, they called the town Salinae. It would become known for its massive deposits of salt, becoming central to several Roman crossroads in the area. In 1847, it was discovered that the pavements of Salinae were tiled in mosaics.
In the days of the Romans and through to the 9th Century at least, Droitwich Spa was also known for its hot spring, which men would bathe in throughout the day. It was also said to have a temperature control system. Today, you can find traces of the Roman fort and what it was later used for in Droitwich Spa and towards Roman Way.
Still, the best place to go for an influx of local Roman knowledge is the Droitwich Salt Museum. Given a revamp after receiving a £130,000 grant, as was reported by the BBC, the museum is home to many Roman artefacts, including pottery, coins, barrels, and skulls.
Ancient Rome remains a vast and fascinating topic. For anyone interested in delving deeper into the times of the Romans here, there are some great spots to visit in and around Droitwich Spa.
Article written by Ben Spencer
