Early Imperial military presence in GB, pre AD 43?

[Tim Edwards]

Gents,

I'd like to open a debate on evidence for a Roman military presence in Britain after Julius Caesar's expedition but before Claudius.

We are learning more about the level of Roman material culture that was adopted in the Late 'Pre Roman' Iron Age Britain, with sites like Silchester suggesting peoples who had adopted 'Roman' lifestyles pre AD43, with all that implies, even down to eating habits, dress, building and town planning.

This doesn't necessarily add up to a military presence though.

But what would?

Are there military assemblages from early sites such as Hod Hill, Chichester and Colchester that scream pre AD43? Are there any unusual pottery assemblages from military sites which suggest a pre AD43 date?

What historical references are useful here? Salway speaks of Augustan propaganda claiming Britain under imperial control - can we interpret a level of military involvement? And how abortive was Caligula's invasion?

I'm not advocating an alternative history or conspiracy theory, but the notion of an early military presence intrigues me.

I look forward to your comment!

[D B Campbell]

What historical references are useful here? Salway speaks of Augustan propaganda claiming Britain under imperial control - can we interpret a level of military involvement? And how abortive was Caligula's invasion?

Maybe. :wink:

An entire industry has sprung up over the last decade, seeking to prove that the pre-Roman phase at Fishbourne, represented by some nondescript rectangular buildings, was built by Roman military engineers. It's not really the kind of thing that you can prove (unless you're really lucky). More interesting are the native British attempts to emulate Graeco-Roman civilisation with town planning at Silchester, Verulamium, Camulodunum.

We should remember that Britain had been in Rome's orbit since 55 BC. Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula all had diplomatic contacts with the royalty of southern Britain. There were "exchange mechanisms" in place. And it's really not surprising, if you compare it with other areas of the empire. AD 6 was Judaea's AD 43. AD 46 was Thrace's AD 43. AD 72 was Commagene's AD 43. These were areas that Rome had been meddling in for generations, before the decision was made to "invade".

John Creighton has some interesting theories on this.