From a small city-state on the banks of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Rome expanded to dominate first the Italian peninsula, then the entire Mediterranean, and finally, most of the known world, establishing an empire that lasted for more than half a millennium. That expansion was fueled firstly by the prowess of the Roman army—one of the most successful in history—but secondly by Rome’s ability to assimilate newly conquered peoples into its empire, encouraging them to become an integral part of the system which, in turn, facilitated further expansion. Rome’s most northerly province, Britannia, provides an excellent example of these processes at work, encapsulating both a developed civil province in the south and a primarily military zone in the north.
The Roman conquest had a profound impact on the landscape of Britain, establishing some of the patterns of settlement, land use, and political geography still influential today. Thus, many of Britain’s most historic towns, including its capital, are built upon Roman foundations. The Roman influence on the main road system is also clearly evident; and even the political and financial dominance of south-eastern England can be traced back to its role as the core of the Roman civil province and its longer term links to the Roman Empire.
Though the initial conquest and the maintenance of security can be attributed to the army, the establishment of self-governing towns was the secret to Rome’s successful assimilation of the indigenous population, facilitating both the integration of the elite as well as administrative control of the wider, mainly rural, population. As a result, the centuries of Roman occupation have left behind numerous well-preserved, physical remains, from forts and frontiers to towns, villas, amphitheaters, and temples.
Join us on this panoramic sojourn as we travel across some of the most scenic regions in England—from the south coast to Hadrian’s Wall—to explore its best-preserved and most iconic Roman sites. Together we will gain insight into the character of the Roman occupation, its lasting impact on Britain, and ultimately arrive at a profound understanding of the fascinating place that was Britannia—a civilization at the edge of an empire.
