Roman York: A Severan Death March

On Sunday 4th February, AD 2024, York’s Hidden History will mark the 1,813th anniversary of the death of Emperor Septimius Severus in Eboracum with a Severan Death March. Dr Liam Herringshaw will lead participants on a historic stroll through the Roman streets of York. Meeting at 1pm by the Roman Column in Minster Yard, the march will follow as Roman a route as possible through Eboracum, before heading out of the city along the road to Isurium (Aldborough). The walk will finish at around 3pm at the emperor’s (supposed) cremation site in the Severus Hills of Holgate.

The Severan Death March is around 2.5 miles long, and will follow a route including Stonegate, Lendal, Lendal Bridge, Rougier Street, Tanner Row, Micklegate, Blossom Street and Holgate Road. Dr Herringshaw will highlight Roman sites along the way, as well as discussing the historic landscape and geography of York. The march will follow a step-free route, but the length of the walk means it is unsuitable for young children, or people of limited mobility. Tickets are free, but strictly limited to 20 people, and must be booked via the York’s Hidden History Eventbrite page.

Proposed route (with approximate timings)

1pm – start: Roman Column, Minster Yard

1.20pm – Roman interval tower, York Museum Gardens

1.40pm – West Offices, Station Rise/Tanner Row

2pm – Bar Lane, just inside Micklegate Bar.

2.30pm – The Fox Pub, Holgate Road.

3pm – finish: Severus Hill, Bouthwaite Drive.