Clausentum Clausentum Clausentum was a small town in the Roman province of Britannia. The site is believed to be located in Bitterne, which is now a suburb of Southampton. Antonine Itinerary VII documents the Roman settlement of "Clausentum" as being west of "Noviomagus Reginorum" (Chichester) and from "Venta Belgarum" (Winchester). In 1610, William Camden identified Southampton as being the site of "Clausentum" and described how at Bitterne he had seen "old broken walls, and trenches of an antient castle". Around 1770, John Speed claimed that "Clausentum" was in the area that is now known as Bitterne Manor. In 1792, the Richard
Venta Silurum which was located on the Roman road between "Isca Augusta" (Caerleon) and "Glevum" (Gloucester) and close to the Severn estuary, was - in contrast with nearby "Isca" - essentially established for civilian administration rather than for military purposes. Initially Venta had a forum and basilica. By the early part of the 2nd century, during the reign of Hadrian, the "civitas" had begun construction work on a market place and developing centre of local government. Public baths and shops, including a blacksmiths, were built about the same time. Remains of farms and dwellings, some with courtyards, have also been excavated. A