The Roman Government of Britain

This work contains biographical entries for all the Roman higher officials who served in Britain from AD 43 to c.409. It is a completely revised edition of the author's The Fasti of Roman Britain (1981), taking account both of newly discovered governors, legionary legates and tribunes, procurators, and prefects of the fleet, and of new information about the origin, family, and career of previously known officials. In each entry the evidence, literary and epigraphic, is quoted in full and-unlike in the first edition-translated. A further change is that the evidence for imperial visits to Britain or involvement in the island's affairs is also quoted and discussed. This includes Claudius' participation in the conquest and victory celebrations; Hadrian's visit in 122 and the building of his Wall; the building of the Antonine Wall; Severus' expedition 208-11; the usurpation of Carausius and Allectus, Constantius' recovery of Britain and Pictish campaign; Constantine's proclamation as emperor at York and possible later visits; Constans' expedition in 343; Stilicho's measures to defend Britain; and the end of Roman rule. There are also sections on local government, the governors' staff, the senatorial and procuratorial career in the principate, and the late Roman civil and military system. The subdivisions, into Upper and Lower Britain, then into four, and finally five, provinces are discussed. Thus the book provides a narrative history of Roman Britain, with a full conspectus of the literary, epigraphic, and numismatic sources. Further, the analysis of the background and careers of hundreds of individuals who served in Britain sheds light on the way the Roman Empire worked during a period of over 360 years. Book jacket.

Anthony R. Birley is Chairman of Trustees, Vindolanda Trust.