Fishbourne Roman Palace

VISIT TO FISHBOURNE ROMAN PALACE – 7th JULY, 1992.
To the Sussex historian, Tiberius Claudius Cogidubnus, King of the Atribates, friend of Rome, and principal occupant of the palace, is of considerable interest. The 17 members and guests, on a hot steamy afternoon, learned of the lifestyle of his time (first century A.D.) and of the development of the site until its destruction by fire in 285.
First to the museum, with its reconstruction model, and display of artefacts in date order. (What happened to all that Latin so reluctantly learned at school?) Next the inevitable video, where it felt as if the Roman hot air heating was still on!
Then to an over view of the foundations and magnificent mosaic floors covered by a modern building worth seeing for itself. We admired the
skill of the constructors, using the crude tools seen in the museum and the ability of the archaeologists which enabled us to see two floors, one found directly below the other.
Finally into the garden, reconstructed as it was probably seen by Cogidubnus, and an appreciation of the size of the original site, a large part of which has disappeared beneath the old A27 and its surrounding houses. The comforts of the tea room were very welcome.
E.W. Ayling.