History: The Romans 47 to 410 AD (Talybont on Usk)

Military roads passed through this immediate area linking the coastal ports, forts, marching camps and the gold mines at Dolau Cothi being part of the Via Juliia Montana which ran from Caerleon to Carmarthen . It is most unlikely that a section of this Roman road went over the top of the Allt as logically the best way to avoid the steep climb to the summit would be to use one of the still existing lower tracks. The precise route heading west is unclear but it would have reached the present A40 at Llanhamlach where an extensive Roman encampment was located. There is compelling evidence too that the Romans used a route heading north from Cardiff that came down the Caerfanell valley, past Penrhiw Calch, skirting Toryfoel to the west, and through Maes Mawr to a ford at Llansantffraed. The farm could very readily been a strategic site for a fort.