Roman Britain 43-128 CE- B1 Flashcards
1
Q
When did Claudius first invade
A
43 CE
2
Q
What did the bronze coin of Cunobelinus show
A
- Confirms the existence of Cunobelinus (King of the Catuvellauni)
- British minted coin= The British tribes had the skills and resources
- Was in Latin to send a message to the Romans and traders
3
Q
When were Caesars invasions
A
- 55BC- short stay in Britain
- 54BC- not successful (military wise) but was awarded 20 days of thanksgiving by the senate, gained relationships with British tribes
4
Q
Who was the main leader and tribe Caesar faced in battle
A
- Catuvellauni (tribe) - captured Colchester
- Cassivellaunus (leader)
5
Q
Which tribe submitted to Caesar in 54BC and why
A
Trinovantes because they wanted protection against the Catuvellauni
(Afterwards, many submitted to Caesar)
6
Q
What happened to Verica (the leader of the Atrebates)
A
Exiled during a civil war and sought the protection of Rome
7
Q
Why did Augustus not attempt to invade Britain
A
- He wanted to keep peace after the civil war
- Failures in Germania (Varus disaster)
8
Q
How did Caesar’s invasion help Claudius
A
- Caesar made connections with some of the tribes
- Gained geographical knowledge of Britain
- Gained an idea of resistance (the bronze coin)
9
Q
Positives and Negatives of archeological sources
A
- Positives- Contemporary, Not confusion in what was said (unlike res gestae), Can verify and cross reference literary sources
- Negatives- Can be biased (propaganda), May be interpreted wrong due to lack of context, Can be damaged or incomplete, Rare and costly to dig up
10
Q
Types of archeological sources
A
- Numismatics- coins
- Epigraphy- inscriptions
- Gravestones
11
Q
What are reasons for Claudius’ invasion
A
- Help was requested from Verica (king of the Atrebates)- gold starter of Verica (confirms diplomatic ties between Rome and the Atrebates
- Needed the military experience to legitimise his rule, gain title imperator, improve his image and gain the support of the senate
- Economic reasons- Britain had fertile land, pearls and gems, many sheep, slaves (Pomponius Mela)
12
Q
Who tells us about Claudius initial invasion
A
- Dio
- Suetonius- dismisses Claudius victory and sees it as small
13
Q
Who commanded the invasion for Claudius
A
Aulus Plautius
14
Q
Where did Plautius capture
A
The south, Colchester and the Fosse way
15
Q
What was the battle of river Medway
A
The fight at the river when the Britons didn’t think the Romans could make it across. However they had German soldiers from the Rhine who were strong swimmers. The Romans wounded the Britons horses on chariots so they couldn’t cause their scythed chariots. Vespasian and Plautius were the leaders
16
Q
How long was Claudius in Britain for
A
16 days
17
Q
What sources show Claudius’ triumph back in Rome
A
- Coin- Arch of Claudius- showed his triumphal arch and the submission of the tribes
- Triumphal Arch- claimed Claudius conquered without loss (proved false by river Medway), it was erected by the senate and the people
18
Q
Why is Aulus Plautius’ governance so effective
A
- Military effectiveness- Dio= Battle of river Medway, Tombstones= Say where people went- South
–>Won against the Britons, successful use of guerilla warfare, awarded a triumph, use of auxiliary troops
19
Q
Why is Aulus Plautius’ governance so effective
A
- Diplomacy- Dio, Stater of Verica
–> Verica went to Rome after being exiled from the Atrebates,
Trinovantes went to Rome’s side
Bodunni went to Rome’s side (just before the Medway)
20
Q
Why is Aulus Plautius’ governance so effective
A
- British disunity- Triumphal arch, Pomponius Mela
–> Infighting ‘savage’ ‘divide and conquer’
21
Q
Why is Aulus Plautius’ governance so effective
A
- Roles of individuals- Dio, Suetonius
–> Vespasian - gains experience for future role of emperor, Plautius- understands his men
22
Q
How many successive governors were there after Plautius
A
9
23
Q
Who is the main source for the successive governors
A
Tacitus
24
Q
Tactics, policies towards the British and successfulness of: Scapula (1) 47-52
A
- Expansion (also wanted to consolidate the gains of Plautius)
- Used auxiliary troops to put down rebellions, Controlled the Catuvellauni with a legionary garrison, Moved 20th legion from Colchester to Gloucester, Harsh administration
- Captured Caratacus, Silures retaliate killing 8 centurions and a legionary commander, Scapula died from anxiety
25
Tactics, policies towards the British and successfulness of: Gallus (2) 52-57
- Consolidation
- Defeated the Silures, negotiated a civil war against the Brigantes (expansion)
- Not successful, just fought people, Tacitus did not give Gallus much credit
26
Tactics, policies towards the British and successfulness of: Verianus (3) 57-58
- Aggressive-
- Ravaged the Silures, Lasted less than a year
- Does before he could do anything else but claimed he could've conquered the whole island
27
Tactics, policies towards the British and successfulness of: Suetonius Paulinus (4) 60-62
- Expansion but forced to consolodate (good military ability)
- Attacked Anglesey (Mona)- brought under control (Ordovices), Violent towards the druids (exterminated), Boudica revolts under him, Abandoned his expansion
- Ordered to hand over his army to Turpilianus, Forced out by the government
28
Tactics, policies towards the British and successfulness of: Turpilianus (5) 62-67
- Consolidation (of the South), during the aftermath of the Boudican revolt
- Didn't challenge the Britons (wanted peace), resettled tribes, 4 legions in the South
- Put an end to troubles, stabilised the province, (Tacitus doesn't like him due to the lack of fighting and expansion)
29
Tactics, policies towards the British and successfulness of: Trebellius (6) 67-69
- Consolidation- expansion stopped and Nero considered abandoning the province
- Administered with courtesy, 14th legion withdrawn, Avoided conflict with tribes, Year of the 4 emperors, Province enjoyed tranquility
- Troops became demoralised by idleness, He was chased away by Carlius (military sided with him)
30
Tactics, policies towards the British and successfulness of: Bolanus (7) 67-69
- Similar to Trebellius but with less hate from the legions
- Respectful to the Britons, Given no instructions from Nero
- Maintained peace
31
Tactics, policies towards the British and successfulness of: Cerialus (8) 71-74
- Expansion and aggressive
- Attacked the Brigantes (while expanding North), Acted as a military commander- Vespasian (4 legions)
- Liked by Tacitus and was the ideal governor
32
Tactics, policies towards the British and successfulness of: Frontius (9) 74-78
- Expansion
- Resumed hostilities against the Welsh tribes, Subdued the Silures (after ten years)
- Expanded territory, Don't have much evidence of him
33
When was the Boudican revolt
61 CE but she was defeated the following year prompting a period of Consolidation
34
Who is the main source for Agricola's governorship
Tacitus
35
Who was defeated at Mons Graupius in Caledonia by Agricola
Calgacus
36
What was Agricola's past experience
Military tribune in Britain and Germany
37
When was Agricola govenor
78-74 AD
38
What type of source is Tacitus, Agricola
Eulogy
39
Why is Tacitus, Agricola biased
Family connections- Agricola was Tacitus' father in law
40
How does Agricola consolidate wales
Built forts which held 1 legion (1/4 of all legions in Britain)- shown with the lead pipe
41
What does Agricola do when he first arrives in Britain
Collected veterans and auxiliary troops to exterminate the Ordovices in Wales
42
What island does Agricola attack to complete the conquest of Wales
Mona
43
What tactics does Agricola use when capturing Mona
Gets soldiers good at swimming (may be Britons)
44
How did Agricola use the fleets to expand north
He allowed them to go up the coast first to scope out the area, carry supplies, intimidate the natives and provide them with an easy escape
45
What setback does Agricola face after his initial conquest on Scotland
The 9th legion gets attacked at night by Caledonians- Agricola orders the caverly to attack
46
Why is Agricola victorious at Mons Graupius
- Close fighting- Britons swords were big and blunt so they couldn't attack close up
- Romans pursued the fleeing
- Charioteers were killed- killing some Caledonians and crashing into their own army
- Caverly used to flank
47
What was done at the forth Clyde line in Scotland
Forts were built along it as it was the shortest point
48
Who joined together to fight against the Romans at Mons Graupius
Caledonians
49
Why was Scotland abandoned after Mons Graupius
- No useful resources
- Dacian wars- soldiers were needed elsewhere
- British king Arviragus was hostile (Brigantes)
- Domitian wanted Agricola back (maybe due to jealousy similar to Germanicus)
50
What was Inchtuthil
A self sufficient legionary fortress- when abandoned, the 900,000 nails were buried so the Caledonians couldn't use them
51
What was the Stanegate road
The new frontier after the governorship of Agricola which acted as a supply base for the Scottish campaign
52
What source was found in one of the forts along the Stanegate road
Vindolanda tablets
53
Why are the vindolanda tablets useful
They are unbiased and give us an insight into what everyday was like
54
What do the vindolanda tablets show us
- They were organized and well thought out forts
- The forts were safe- women could travel and stay in the forts
- The territory is not hostile- the fort is not at full strength and the number of wounded soldiers is low
55
What was found at Newstead and the Lowlands of Scotland
Human remains, damaged forts and damaged armour
56
What sources can date the withdrawal from Scotland
Coin hoard and potter minted around 105 AD
57
What evidence is there on the placing of Trajan's new frontier (Stanegate road)
The Stanegate forts were replaced while other forts were just burnt down
58
What source states that there was heavy conflict at the Stanegate
Scriptores Historiae Augustae- the Britons could no longer held under Roman control
59
How did Rome further consolidate after the Stanegate
- Reoccupied forts
- Built Hadrian's wall
60
Why was it thought Hadrian's wall was built
- Help and monitor peaceful trade
- Separate the Lowland Scotland and Brigantes tribes
- Control the movement of peope
61
How reliable is the Scriptores Historiae Augustae
Seen as inaccurate but is a biography of the emperors by 6 different authors
62
How does the tombstone of Titus Pontius Sabinus corroborate the Scriptores Historiae Augustae
Sabinus was in command of 1,000 men meaning things were bad enough for an increased military presence
63
What is the only source that mentions that Hadrian ordered to have the wall built
Scriptores Historiae Augustae
64
Who built Hadrian's wall
Legionaries- shown through the altars of Neptune and Oceanus
65
How long was Hadrian's wall
80 miles
66
What are 4 archeological features of Hadrian's wall
- Milecastles
- Broad to narrow walls
- Vallum
- Great Chesters
67
What were the features and defensive purposes of Milecastles/Turrrets/Peel gap
- Small forts used as gateways/ watch towers (Juvenal [poet])
- Used to keep a watch on the tribes
- Peel gap- faced south- keeps an eye on the southern tribes (Brigantes)
- Vindolanda was to the south- acted as a beacon to watch for unrest- Vindolanda had many auxiliary troops
- Gates to the North- regulated trade- As of Hadrian
68
What were the features and defensive purposes of the broad to narrow wall
- 10ft thick reduced to 6-8ft
- Broader made it easier to man due to the increase of military in Britain- tomb of Sabinas
- Narrow- lack of resources- less defense needed?- looking for quick construction- tombstone of Sabinas, SHA (revolts inherented)
69
What were the features and defensive purposes of the vallum
- A ditch on the south side of the wall with mounds on either side, 20ft by 10ft
- SHA- separate the Romans from the Brigantes
- They were abandoned- As of Hadrian- either peace restore or lack of resources
70
What are the reasons why Hadrian's wall was built
- Military purposes- separate the Brigantes from northern tribes (Historiae Augustae)
- Control- gateway in the wall= may be due to controlling trade?
