This course studies the history of Britannia (Britain), one of the most distinctive provinces of the Roman Empire, from Julius Caesar’s brief invasions in 55 and 54 BC until the end of Roman rule in the 5th century AD. The course combines a narrative history with thematic topics. A range of source material will be studied, including literary texts, inscriptions, preserved wooden writing tablets, coins, and archaeological remains. Episodes of the popular archaeology TV series Time Team will be used to illustrate the nature of archaeological work on Roman sites in Britain. Three overarching themes are: (1) the use of new archaeological evidence and techniques to rewrite the history of Roman Britain; (2) the tension between native British acceptance of and resistance to Roman rule; (3) the extent to which Britain was ‘Romanized.’ Topics to be covered: Celtic Britain and earlier contacts with the Mediterranean world; Julius Caesar; Claudius’ invasion of AD 43 and the Roman conquest of Britain; the revolt of Boudica and the consolidation of Roman rule; Hadrian’s Wall; the Roman government of Britain; urban life; the economy of Roman Britain; rural villas and the countryside; Romano-British society; religion; the end of Roman Britain.

G. de la Bédoyère, Roman Britain: A New History (2013).

All other readings will be available electronically.

2 Formal essays: 60% (20% and 40%)
Examination: 30%
Participation: 10%

Two 80-minute lectures each week.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
• identify and describe the key figures, terms, and topics of the history of Roman Britain;
• identify, discuss and explain key historical events;
• identify, describe and discuss the various methodological and theoretical approaches to the interpretation of historical sources;
• read critically and evaluate (review and interpret) information from both primary sources and scholarly secondary sources, and explore the limited and contested nature of historical knowledge about Roman Britain;
• discuss issues related to course material with coherent and logical arguments, clearly and correctly expressed both in writing and orally in tutorial.

• write a clear and effective essay, making use of different sources and following appropriate standards of presentation.