Roman Britain

Illustrated by the Author and Alan Sorrell. First published in 1956. Here is a lively history of the four centuries of Roman occupation, from the time of Julius Caesar to the beginnings of Saxon settlement in the fifth century A.D. A brief background survey of the Roman Empire and of the condition of Britain at the time of the invasions takes us into a detailed account of the Conquest itself, first of the Lowlands, then carried further by Agricola, and up to the consolidation of the frontier and the erection of Hadrian’s Wall. What influence did the Roman occupation have on local government and administration, on town life and buildings, on the development of industry and trade, on art and religion? In the section that follows, R. R. Sellman discusses the Romanization of Britain, showing to what extent the inhabitants of Britain took on the Roman way of life. A comprehensive and interesting survey, liberally illustrated with maps, diagrams and reconstruction drawings, this book gives the reader some fascinating insight into the application of archaeology to the reconstruction and interpretation of the past.