St. Julians probably dates from c. 75 AD, as it was part of the cannabae, or vicus ( fortress suburbs) of the
legionary fortress of Caerleon, or Isca Silurum.
It is situated about 0.5 mile downriver from the fortress
on the opposite bank of the River Usk. Here the river
banks provided moorings and a jetty for river-craft
serving the garrison of the 2nd. Augustan legion. From the jetty a short road ran past the amphitheatre and into the
gateway,the Porta Principalis Dextra, and thus into the
Via Principalis, the main road through the fortress.
St. Julian was an early Christian martyr who was put
to death in Caerleon's amphitheatre, together with a
another called Aaron.
Today a tiny R.C.church is dedicated to St. David, Julian
and Aaron. This stands at the foot of Caerleon's High St.
where the original Porta Praetoria once stood.