A Brief History of Roman Britain: Links and Interesting Websites

Week One

Primary Sources

Titus Livius (Livy), The History of Rome

Julius Caesar, “Book 4” Commentarii de Bello Gallico

Julius Caesar, “Book 5” Commentarii de Bello Gallico

Secondary Sources

Mai Dun (Maiden Castle): Roman Imperialism in Action.

The Council for British Archaeology Home Page

Archaeology Data Service CBA Research Reports

“The Iron Age–Roman Transition” by John Creighton (pp 4-11) in Britons and Romans: advancing an archaeological agenda

Summer 2013

Syllabus: A Brief History of Roman Britain

Lecture and discussions will rely on archaeological and historical sources.

Session 1 - The Celtic and Roman Invasions

Tuesday August 6, 2013 5:30-7:00 PM

(no pre-class assignment due)

Definition of “Romanization,” Greek, Roman and archaeological sources on Britain, Julius Caesar’s invasion of Britain in 55-54 BC

Homework: Read assigned sections of The Gallic Wars by Julius Caesar and summarize each paragraph (chapter) in your assigned section in a single sentence.

Guiding Question: What can we learn about the Germans or the Britons from the these readings? Make a list of what you find.

Session 2 - Life in Ancient Britain

Tuesday August 13, 2013 5:30-7:00 PM

Conquest of Britain in AD 43, Boudicca’s rebellion, Tacitus Agricola, Hadrian’s Wall. Celtic society and Romano-British culture, the role of the civitas in Roman imperial administration; Romanization of Britain vs Romanization in other Roman Provinces, the importance of roads, villas, and other Roman infrastructure.

Session 3 - Fall of Roman Britain and...Romanization?

Tuesday August 20, 2013 5:30-7:00 PM

The legions of Roman Britain. Romano-British architecture from first through fifth century. The rise of piracy and barbarian attacks in the third and fourth centuries, coastal fortifications and walled towns, the significance of coin hoards, the withdrawal of Roman forces in the early fifth century, the transition from Sub-Roman Britain to Anglo-Saxon England; the importance of archaeology in the absence of historical records and recent trends and historiography regarding the concept of “Romanization.”

A Brief History of Roman Britain

Links and Interesting Websites

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