The End of Roman Britain

Introduction

• Presented by: [Lecturer's Name]
• Occasion: 100th anniversary of the Roman Society
• Topic overview: The end of Roman Britain, focusing on key issues and complexities in understanding this historical problem.

Why Discuss This Topic Now?

1. Excavations
   • Current excavation at Legionary Fortress of Celeon in South Wales.
   • Possible late or sub-Roman archaeological evidence uncovered.
2. Anniversary
   • 2010 marks the anniversary of the end of Roman Britain in AD 410.
   • Various events and conferences addressing this topic.
3. Debate on British Identity
   • Ongoing discussions about British identity and its origins, relevant to the transition from Roman to early medieval periods.

Understanding the Problem

• Comparison of AD 200 vs. AD 600
  • AD 200: Complex Roman province with towns, public buildings, and a varied material culture.
  • AD 600: Emergence of small kingdoms and a flatter social hierarchy.
• Need for Diverse Evidence
  • Textual and archaeological evidence both essential to explore changes.

Types of Evidence

Textual Evidence

• Sources are scattered and often written long after the events (e.g., Zosimus).
• Describes specific events, not daily life of all Roman Britons.

Archaeological Evidence

• Confirms major changes occurred in the early 5th century, including site abandonments and shifts in material culture.
• Importance of objects like coins and pottery in understanding occupation and interaction.

What Ended?

1. End of Roman Administration

• Chronology
  • Usurpation phenomenon in the 4th century leads to regional control of security.
  • In AD 410, Honorius reportedly tells Britain to care for itself, indicating administrative collapse.

2. Settlement Pattern Changes

• Towns
  • Signs of abandonment and reduced civic function before AD 410.
• Forts
  • Some continued occupation but adapted to different functions.

3. Material Culture

• Coinage
  • Ceased coming into Britain, signaling a decline in Roman economic influence.
• Pottery and Artifacts
  • Production of pottery ends around AD 410, leading to changes in daily life.

Cultural Identity Beyond 410

• Citizenship and Literacy
  • Roman citizenship loses significance without administration.
  • Latin literacy persists in monasteries, indicating continuity in certain areas.
• Religion
  • Christianity maintains presence in Western Britain post-410.

Key Questions

• Which aspects define what it means to be Roman?
• How do changes affect different populations?
• The idea of British identity during this transitional period.

Chronology and Regional Differences

• Changes not uniform across Britain; regions experienced shifts at different times.
• Evidence suggests fragmentation of political culture throughout the 4th century.

Conclusion: Why Did Roman Britain End?

• The end of Roman Britain is tied to fragmentation in political culture and administrative withdrawal.
• The Roman presence, while diminished, did not cease entirely—cultural practices and identities evolved rather than disappeared.

Final Thoughts

• Many ends of Roman Britain exist, dependent on the aspect of life considered (e.g., religion, citizenship, material culture).
• Complexity is key in understanding the transition from Roman to post-Roman Britain.