Roman Control Of Britain Flashcards
Tombstone of Titus Pontius Sabinus
Reference to a “British expedition” 117- late 120s
“Little less than…
Eighty thousand Britons fell, at a cost of some four hundred Romans killed” Tac. 14.37
He [Agricola] marched…
His men into the hills […] slaughtered almost the entire nation
Tac. 18
Tacitus 36
The swords of the Britanni lack a thrusting point, and so are unsuited to […] close combat
Roman peace was enough of a reality…
That large areas of empire could be governed effectively without regular recourse to direct force - Neville Morley
Vindolanda military strength report
Birthday party letter
456/752 absent from duty, one centurion in London
Claudia Severa and Lepidina
Tacitus 14 on Agricola
He made the contributions of corn and tribute less onerous by distributing the burdens fairly
Tacitus 14.32
Julius Classicianus […] was hampering the public welfare by his private animosities
Verulamium forum inscription
79-81 AD
“The Verulamium basilica was adorned”
Tacitus 21
He assisted communities to build temples, public squares and proper houses
Chichester dedication slab
“Tiberi Claudi Togidubni”
Romans looked to these…
Tribal leaders to control the rest of the populace […] competing with one another for honour and status
-Neville Morley
SHA 5.1
The Britons could not be kept under Roman control
Mendip lead pig
47 AD
Tacitus 12.31
While they fight singly, all are conquered
Examples of syncretism in Britain
Creation of Minerva Silvia
The fountain at Bath and altar to Sulis Minerva (talk about the head engraving)
The water goddess Coventina was portrayed as a nymph
The Maryport image
Brigantia dedication in the South Shields
The goddess is Celtic, But the inscription is in Latin. “ a war goddess clad like Minerva but with an auxiliary regiment style of helmet” Richmond
On the Genii cucullati
They represent a “combination of the Roman Genius loci and the British reverence for the sacred number three” Aldhouse-Green
Tacitus 21 on Latin-learning and toga wearing
They who lately disdained the tongue of Rome now coveted its eloquence […] the toga became fashionable
Corroborated by the Harper Road burial
Tombstone of a speculator at London and…
A beneficiarius at Wroxeter
1st cent AD
This was a strong settlement…
Of veterans intended as a reserve against rebellion and to instil in our allies the habit of observing the laws.
Tacitus 12.32
The cavalry do not use…
Swords nor do the wretched Britons mount in order to throw javelins
Vindolanda tablet
Roman roads
Dere street
The stand gate
Watling Street
Fosse Way
They called this “civilisation”,
When in fact it was a part of their enslavement
Tacitus 21
Our excess of confidence…
Might have led to disaster, but Agricola was everywhere at once
Tac 37
The news was received …
By Domitian “With a smile on his face and unease in his heart”
Tac 39
Agricola was able to Build forts that were never
“Stormed who ever abandoned through surrender or flight”
Tac 22
Following Agricola’s annexation of the Brigantine territory in 78AD and consolidation of the Forth-Clyde line
An example of the long-established
Roman custom of employing even kings to make other slaves
Tacitus 14
