Roman Camps in Wales and the Marches


Book Description

The Roman army in Britain left a rich archaeological legacy in the form of permanently occupied installations such as legionary fortresses, auxiliary forts and frontier works. Less well-known are those field-works built by the army on campaign - marching-camps - or as part of its rigorous training regimes, namely practice-works. This volume presents a detailed study of these lesser-known field entrenchments in Wales and the Marches, a region which for a generation from the mid-first century AD became the focus of operations in southern Britain. Thereafter, complexes of practice-works in the vicinity of permanently occupied military bases illustrate the importance of the region to the training regimes of the provincial army. This volume presents a detailed description of those varied camps recorded in Wales and the Marches in the form of a gazetteer, together with plans of all accessible sites, thereby complementing those already published for most of England by the RCAHME. The camps are discussed against the background of Roman military castramentation and tactics on a wide chronological and geographical front, with specific reference to the story of early campaigning in this western region, as well as the subsequent garrisoning phase, as illustrated by a combination of literary and archaeological evidence.




Roman Camps in Britain


Book Description

An overview of the archaeology of Roman camps from a respected authority.




Forts and Roman Strategy


Book Description

Paul Coby here proposes a new system for the recording and mapping of Roman forts and fortifications that integrates all the data, including size, dating and identification of occupying units. Application of these methods allows analysis that brings new insights into the placement of these forts, the units garrisoning them and the strategy of conquest and defense they underpinned. This is a new and original contribution to the long-running debate over whether the Roman Empire had a coherent grand strategy or merely reacted piecemeal to emerging needs. Although the author focuses on several major campaigns in Britain as case studies, the author stresses that his method's are also applicable to elsewhere in the Empire. Lavishly illustrated with color maps, the book is also supported by a website and blogs, encouraging further investigation and discussion.




The Roman Invasion of Britain


Book Description

The purpose of this book is to take what we think we know about the Roman Conquest of Britain from historical sources, and compare it with the archaeological evidence, which is often contradictory. Archaeologists and historians all too often work in complete isolation from each other and this book hopes to show the dangers of neglecting either form of evidence. In the process it challenges much received wisdom about the history of Roman Britain. ??Birgitta Hoffmann tackles the subject by taking a number of major events or episodes (such as Caesar's incursions, Claudius' invasion, Boudicca's revolt), presenting the accepted narrative as derived from historical sources, and then presenting the archaeological evidence for the same. The result of this innovative approach is a book full of surprising and controversial conclusions that will appeal to the general reader as well as those studying or teaching courses on ancient history or archaeology.




Historical texts on the Roman military camp (300 BC–AD 500)


Book Description

The secrets of the Roman field fortifications unveiled. A comprehensible introduction with all the existing ancient texts translated into English. This book presents a compilation of four fragments written by different authors who lived in Roman times: Hyginus (1st–2nd century AD), Polybius (2nd century BC), Vegetius (4th century AD) and Flavius Josephus (1st century AD). Besides the modern English translation, it also provides two didactical synthesis on the topic: a brief summary of the Greco-Roman authors and works that inform us about ancient military science, and a concise introductory study on the Roman military camp based on historical and archaeological sources. The author, Dr. Víctor Lluís Pérez Garcia, is a history teacher, archaeology researcher and orientalist, expert in poliorcetics and polemology. ● Genre: military history, Roman archaeology, classical literature ● Illustrations: high-resolution plans and maps (black and white) ● Publisher: Edicions Excalibur (Tarragona, 2019) ● ISBN: 978-84-17793-04-3 (kindle) ● ISBN: 978-84-17793-05-0 (paperback) ● ISBN: 978-84-17793-06-7 (pdf) ● ISBN: 978-84-17793-07-4 (epub)




Roman Frontier Studies 2009


Book Description

Proceedings of the 21st International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies (LIMES XXI), hosted by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, in August 2009.




The Handbook of British Archaeology


Book Description

For over 25 years The Handbook of British Archaeology has been the foremost guide to archaeological methods, artefacts and monuments, providing clear explanations of all specialist terms used by archaeologists. This completely revised and updated edition is packed with the latest information and now includes the most recent developments in archaeological science. Meticulously researched, every section has been extensively updated by a team of experts. There are chapters devoted to each of the archaeological periods found in Britain, as well as two chapters on techniques and the nature of archaeological remains. All the common artefacts, types of sites and current theories and methods are covered. The growing interest in post-medieval and industrial archaeology is fully explored in a brand new section dealing with these crucial periods. Hundreds of new illustrations enable instant comparison and identification of objects and monuments - from Palaeolithic handaxes to post-medieval gravestones. Several maps pinpoint the key sites, and other features include an extensive bibliography and a detailed index. The Handbook of British Archaeology is the most comprehensive resource book available and is essential for anyone with an interest in the subject - from field archaeologists and academics to students, heritage professionals, Time Team followers and amateur enthusiasts.




Celtic Wales


Book Description

Celtic Wales is about the beginnings of Wales and how the period from the Iron Age to medieval times helped shape and define the modern nation of Wales. Early Wales has a spectacular archaeological, literary and mythical heritage. This book uses archaeology and early historical documents to discuss all aspects of early Welsh society, from war to farming and from drinking habits to Druids.




A Companion to the Archaeology of the Roman Republic


Book Description

A Companion to the Archaeology of the Roman Republic offers a diversity of perspectives to explore how differing approaches and methodologies can contribute to a greater understanding of the formation of the Roman Republic. Brings together the experiences and ideas of archaeologists from around the world, with multiple backgrounds and areas of interest Offers a vibrant exploration of the ways in which archaeological methods can be used to explore different elements of the Roman Republican period Demonstrates that the Republic was not formed in a vacuum, but was influenced by non-Latin-speaking cultures from throughout the Mediterranean region Enables archaeological thinking in this area to be made accessible both to a more general audience and as a valuable addition to existing discourse Investigates the archaeology of the Roman Republican period with reference to material culture, landscape, technology, identity and empire




Clash of Cultures?


Book Description

The general perception of the west midlands region in the Roman period is that it was a backwater compared to the militarized frontier zone of the north, or the south of Britain where Roman culture took root early – in cities like Colchester, London ,and St Albans – and lingered late at cities like Cirencester and Bath with their rich, late Roman villa culture. The west midlands region captures the transition between these two areas of the ‘military’ north and ‘civilized’ south. Where it differed, and why, are important questions in understanding the regional diversity of Roman Britain. They are addressed by this volume which details the archaeology of the Roman period for each of the modern counties of the region, written by local experts who are or have been responsible for the management and exploration of their respective counties. These are placed alongside more thematic takes on elements of Roman culture, including the Roman Army, pottery, coins and religion. Lastly, an overview is taken of the important transitional period of the fifth and sixth centuries. Each paper provides both a developed review of the existing state of knowledge and understanding of the key characteristics of the subject area and details a set of research objectives for the future, immediate and long-term, that will contribute to our evolving understanding of Roman Britain. This is the third volume in a series – The Making of the West Midlands – that explores the archaeology of the English west midlands region from the Lower Palaeolithic onwards.