04-26-2010, 05:43 PM
Quote:BOOK VI, 5: Accordingly the Britons took up arms and, with no consideration of the danger to themselves, freed their own cities from barbarian threat; likewise all of Armorica and other Gallic provinces followed the Britons’ lead: they freed themselves, ejected the Roman magistrates, and set up home rule at their own discretion.
Quote:Bellum Vandalicum 3.2.38 ...the Romans never succeeded in recovering Britain, but it remained from that time on under tyrants.
Two fascinating quotations, giving a very different picture of the end of Roman power in Britain from the old 'legions sailing away after turning out the lights and leaving us to the dark ages' story... Albeit this isn't my field at all, but I'm surprised I've never actual heard of this before. It sounds more like a successful British revolution against Roman control - surely the sort of idea that would have gained popular currency long ago?
- Nathan
Nathan Ross
