effects of Roman rule

Question 1

Aim of Romanisation?

Answer 1

To stimulate economic prosperity, and make the Britons as ‘roman’ as possible to prevent rebellion

Question 2

What does the Mendip lead pig show?

Answer 2

From c.49AD, it is a lead ingot that shows that the Romans exploited the metal resources of Britain

Question 3

Where was the mendip pig found?

Answer 3

8KM from Charterhouse, which was a town that probably grew from the process of the Second Legion Augusta extracting the lead and silver from the Mendips

Question 4

What was pre-Roman Colchester like?

Answer 4

Hill forts and low-lying oppida
- stater of Cunobelinus (c.20-40)shows that Colchester was his seat of power
- Roman amphorae and earthenware from Gaul were used, showing that there was already extensive trade with the Roman world

Question 5

Which legion’s fortress directly led to the development of the town of Colchester?

Answer 5

Twentieth Legion

Question 6

Which buildings do we know for certain were in the first Roman town in Colchester, and what can we assume?

Answer 6

We know there was a temple to Claudius and a theatre. We can assume there would have been a forum, basilica and public baths

Question 7

What was the population of the colonia at Colchester?

Answer 7

Up to 15,000

Question 8

Other areas that coloniae for veterans were established, outside of Colchester?

Answer 8

Lincoln (9th legion)
York
Gloucester (2nd Legion Augusta)

Question 9

What did the veterans at Colchester do, prior to the invasion, which Tacitus criticises?

Answer 9

They had removed the pre-Roman defences, thus leaving the town open to attack

Question 10

‘his object was to accustom them to a life of peace and quiet by the provision of amenities’

Answer 10

Tacitus on Agricola’s aim of urbanisation

Question 11

‘schemes of social betterment’

Answer 11

how Tacitus refers to what would now be called ‘romanisation’

Question 12

What does Tacitus’ statement that children of chiefs were educated in the Roman way show?

Answer 12

• that Romans were interested in Romanising the generation born during the occupation
• that the elites of British society had accepted the Roman rule and wanted their children to receive this education

Question 13

vici

Answer 13

civil settlements which grew near military bases, yet could exist as small towns in their own right

Question 14

coloniae

Answer 14

town built for veterans, generally converted from an old fortress

Question 15

municipia

Answer 15

a civitas capital which had special status above other civitates. St Albans and London were probably Municipia. Local magistrates would be awarded Roman citizenship

Question 16

civitates

Answer 16

the town from which a tribal area was controlled or administered

Question 17

the forum

Answer 17

central business district of the town with shops and markets

Question 18

significance of the Verulamium and Wroxeter forum inscriptions?

Answer 18

They give evidence of the Roman layout of towns with public buildings in central forums

Question 19

What would local elites do to increase their standing in their town?

Answer 19

Pay for public buildings like baths

Question 20

Benefits of the road network, originally built by the soldiers for military purposes?

Answer 20

• farmers for trade
• quicker import of foreign goods
• new customers for existing and new industries

Question 21

Significance of the Vindolanda tablet of accounts for journey from Vindolanda to York?

Answer 21

It records the supplies needed for a trip from York to Vindolanda. In a 6 day journey the travellers spend 94 denarii, demonstrating the economic boost caused by the road system

Question 22

Would the lives of most Britons be different during the Roman occupation?

Answer 22

No. Farmers would not have a huge difference, except we know that food contributions were required as tribute so there may have been some small change there.

Question 23

Roman tools for farming adopted by Britons?

Answer 23

Ploughshares, two-handed scythes, durable axes, corn-drying granaries so that crops could be stored over winter

Question 24

Who is presumed to be the resident of Fishbourne? Also why?

Answer 24

Client King Cogidubnus. Though it might be assumed a governor lived there, the Chichester Dedication Slab shows that Cogidubnus was being honoured and rewarded as ‘Great King’ of Britain, by the Romans so perhaps the palace was part of that

Question 25

What was the site of Fishbourne originally and how do we know?

Answer 25

An inscription from 59AD shows a dedication from soldiers at Chichester. The site was oirginally a supply base for the Second Legion Augusta

Question 26

Feature of Fishbourne, prominent sign of wealth?

Answer 26

Private bath house with hypocaust

Question 27

Religious romanisation

Answer 27

merging of celtic and roman deities

Question 28

‘to encourage a people living in isolation and ignorance to adopt a life of peace’

Answer 28

Tacitus on the aim of romanisation. It can be seen that by 410AD, this had been achieved though by the end of our time period it was still accumulating

Question 29

Sulis Minerva

Answer 29

merged Roman and celtic deity