Week 3: Roman

Roman Britain

Politics →

• Imperialism of Roman Empire over Britain

• Expansion of Roman Republic (44 BCE)

  • Invading Gaul (France)

• Political power group from Rome, the Triumvirate (Julius Caesar, Crassus, & Pompey)

• Invasions into study region by Rome in 55 BCE, 54 BCE, 53 BCE. & 43 BCE

• 54 CE - 60 CE, rebellions in Roman Britain → fighting against imperial rule (Boudicca’s rebellion)

• Roman Britain had a governor (who was the highest authority beside the emperor)

Religion →

• There wasn’t one official religion during this time, but many.

• Most religions were polytheistic, such as the Celts (who believed in many gods/goddesses)

• Rome themselves had a very strong polytheistic religion, believing in many main & lesser deities (Minerva, Uranus)

  • Their religion had ancestor worship & specific deities related to families

• Conflict between Roman & Celts religion (even though they syncretized together over the years)

  • Tension about emperor worship & Celts religion class, Druids.

• Spread of “mystery cults” throughout

• Christianity at this time was slowly spreading over Rome & Roman Britain

  • First mentioned in the British Isles in 206 Ce by Tertullian

• Christianity became legal in 312 CE, due to Constantine the Great becoming Emperor.

• Christian council in Arles was formed in France in 314 (which established hierarchy in the religion)

Succession →

• Emperors of Rome & Roman Britain was following primogenitor

Relations →

• Due to Roman invasions, many neighboring tribes made alliances & treaties with each other.

• Roman Britain was sending out natural materials to Rome, as Rome was sending luxury goods (such as wine barrels, pottery, etc)

• Rome & Roman Britain were heavily financially & culturally connected through invasions.

Cultural Development →

• Hadrian’s Wall (128), separating the Romans from the Caledonii

• Mile Forts created for soldiers throughout Roman Britain

• House steads (places for troops with civilian sections attached)

• Urbanization starting due to large amount of people in Roman Britain

End of Roman Empire (3rd - early 4th century CE)

Politics →

• Division of Roman Empire by Constantius I (Diocletian)

• Lots of pressure around the border of the Empire from other tribes

• Attempt of expansion further north by Septimius Severus (into Scotland)

• In the 360s, many attacks from Picts, Scots, Attacotti, Saxons & Franks

• Many troops were taken from Roman Britain to help conflict in Rome.

• With many troops gone from Roman Britain, & Emperors constantly asking for reinforcements, they could no longer send support → leading to the end of Roman Britain

Religion →

Succession →

• Roman Empire becomes unstable due to lots of emperor turnover in the 3rd century.

• Constantine the Great named emperor even though he was not supposed to be.

  • Led to many inner battles, with Constantine taking making soldiers & winning

Relations →

• Even though Roman Britain severed it’s connection with Rome, this did not eliminate contact, just severely limited it.

• After this disconnection, there was a decline in trade, tax system degraded, & many abandoned towns.

Cultural Development →

• With many raids & invasions, there was an influx of people.

• Decline of tax system & trade led many to abandon towns.