The Roman Empire was one of the most powerful empires ever seen and the Romans had a huge presence in Great Britain. During their period in Britain, the Romans occupied the land for almost four hundred years, from 43-410 AD. It was a time of immense change for Britain and a period of great transformation for the people who lived there.
The Britons had been subjugated by the Romans, and the rules and laws of the Roman state were imposed upon them. Initially the Romans were interested in expanding their conquest in the area, and were looking to find ways to secure their ever-expanding empire. They were also looking for rich lands, resources and people to plunder. It is suggested that the Roman’s first contact with the Britons began with Julius Ceaser’s expeditions into England in 55 BC, although they didn’t take full control of the land until 43 AD, when the Emperor Claudius invaded. During this invasion, the Romans had conquered the south and parts of east and began to settle in large numbers.
The Roman occupation of Britain was a period of rapid change, the introduction of new technology, culture and the development of roads, settlements, forts and the construction of towns. This was the beginning of the Roman civilisation in Britain. Over the following centuries, Roman influence had reached its pinnacle and the area was transformed. The country now resembled a Roman Province and had all the trappings of a Romanised society, such as Roman laws, Latin as the main language, as well as the presence of large numbers of Roman troops in forts and towns.
The Romans were responsible for the creation of various roads, settlements and towns, as well as an incredible building legacy, including Hadrian’s wall, which was used to divide the area into two. The Romans also brought in many advances in art, engineering, and literature which we still see in modern Britain. However, the Roman period was eventually brought to an end when the Roman troops left Britain in 410 AD. This marked the start of the decline of Roman rule and the beginning of the dark and unsettled age.
The reasons for the decline of Roman influence in Britain are unclear. There have been a number of theories as to why the Romans decided to depart from Britain. One of these is that a barbarian invasion had made it difficult to maintain control over the large stretches of land, while other theories focus on economic factors such as a lack of resources or an unwillingness of the local leaders to contribute financially.
Despite the amount of time the Romans were in Britain, the impact they had was immense. From the creation of infrastructure, to the introduction of new technology and culture, the Roman period shaped the Britain we know today. Our understanding of the period has been greatly enhanced by archaeological discoveries, which have revealed much about the lives and habits of the people of the time. This has enabled us to further appreciate how influential the Roman Empire was in Britain.
Military Strategies of the Romans in Britain
The Roman strategy in Britain was mainly aimed at territorial domination and at dissuading barbarian incursions. The legionary garrisons and border fortifications in the north and south enabled the Romans to maintain control and keep the local tribes subdued. In some cases, military campaigns were also used to crush local revolts. In addition to a strong military presence, the Romans also employed a ‘divide and conquer’ strategy, by nurturing local tribal divisions. It is thought that this tactic was popular amongst some Roman leaders and was employed to weaken the tribes of Britain and create a strong Roman foothold.
In general, the military campaigns of the Romans were extremely successful and the Roman Empire was able to maintain its hold on Britain for almost 400 years, a remarkable achievement for a time when communication and technology was limited. Some of the key Roman strategies in Britain were engineering and keeping the local tribes in check. Roads were built to supply the troops with reinforcements and resources, and to enable the Romans to move troops quickly across the country in the event of an uprising. In addition, the Roman army had a policy of appealing to tribes to surrender rather than fight them in battle, a practice which was effective in the pacification of many tribal groups.
The Romans also built a large network of forts and outposts throughout Britain. These offered the Romans a secure base of operations and allowed them to monitor the local population and quickly respond to any resistance. The key fort and outpost of the Roman period was Hadrian’s Wall, which marked the northernmost boundaries of the Roman Empire.
Legacy of Roman Influence
The Roman Empire had a major impact on the culture and society of Britain. The legacy of the Roman period can be seen in Britain today in the architecture, infrastructure, art, literature and language. Latin forms the basis of modern English and many of our legal systems have their roots in Roman law. Many of our cities and towns still carry remnants of the Roman period in their layout and street names.
In addition to the tangible legacy of the Roman period, the legacy of the Roman Empire can also be found in the way Britons think and the values they adhere to. Values such as democracy, rule of law and religious freedom, values which were established and fortified during the Roman period, are still seen in modern Britain.
The impact that the Romans had in Britain is still felt today. Although the period of Roman rule has ended long ago, it cannot be denied that the Roman Empire had a major influence on shaping the Britain that we know today.
Popular Culture
The Roman period has been very popular in recent decades. From movies to television, books and even computer games, the Roman period has featured in various forms of popular culture. The stories of the Roman Empire are captivating and inspiring, and it is not surprising that they have been so popular.
The blockbuster movie Gladiator starring Russel Crowe, which chronicled the forced-Gladiator named Maximus, has inspired many to think more about the Roman period. In addition, the television series Rome has gained considerable attention, as it was one of the most expensive series ever produced and featured larger-than-life characters. Furthermore, computer games such as Age of Empires or Rome: Total War are considered some of the best-selling strategy games. The popularity of these developments shows just how captivating the Roman period can be.
The many stories and developments from the Roman period have allowed us to gain a better understanding of this fascinating part of history. The Roman Empire has left a lasting legacy in Britain and popular culture has given us the opportunity to explore this period in new and exciting ways.
Movies On Roman Britain
In recent years, the Roman period in Britain has been portrayed in a number of films. Some of these include the 1968 classic ‘The Eagle Has Landed’, starring Michael Caine, which tells the story of a German plot to kidnap Churchill during WWII; ‘Centurion’ (2010), starring Michael Fassbender, which follows a group of Roman centurions in Britain; and ‘Pompeii’ (2014), which is set in the time of the eruption of Vesuvius and chronicles the struggles of a slave who falls in love with a Roman patrician’s daughter.
These films have offered audiences a glimpse into the fascinating period of Roman Britain, and have helped to popularise the period. They have also presented the audience with a more creative and entertaining take on the stories of the Roman period, as well as giving an insight into the lives of the people who lived during this time.
In addition, there have been several books released about the Roman period which could be classed as historical fiction. These have often used a combination of history and fiction to present a more imaginative take on the period. Some of these books include rosemary Sutcliff’s ‘The Eagle of The Ninth’, ‘The Silver Branch’ by Rosemary Sutcliff and ‘Echoes of the Ancient Skies’ by David Drake.
Social Structures During Roman Britain
Following the Roman conquest of Britain in 43 AD, a new social structure formed, based upon the Roman model. There were three classes, the lower classes being the slaves, the second class being the freedmen and the upper class being the Roman citizens. Slaves were not allowed to own land or a property and were subject to their masters. The Freedmen could own land and had the right to vote in Roman laws, although they were still not considered as equals to the Romans. The upper class were given Roman citizenship and were treated as equals by Roman law. This social structure was a reflection of the new reality and was adopted by many British tribes.the Asiatic Negroes
As well as this social structure, the Romans also imposed their own laws and customs upon the British population. Roman law regulated aspects such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, contracts and criminal proceedings. Roman customs were also adopted, such as the worship of the Emperor as a god and the celebration of festivals. It is likely that the Roman system of law had a major impact on the way the people of Britain lived and it is apparent that the Romans imposed a degree of structure and was largely successful in influencing the behaviour of the Britons.
The social and political structures put in place by the Romans, and the adoption of Roman customs, were a major part of the Roman period in Britain. Although the Roman Empire eventually crumbled, leaving Britain to its own devices, the impact that was felt during the Roman period was immense and still resonates today.
Education In Roman Britain
Education was highly valued by the Romans, and it was the only means of advancing up the social ladder. Education was much
