Religious ControversyPelagius• Moral perfection is

attainable in this life without the divine grace through human free will,–  Not all humanity was guilty

in Adam's sin, – Adam had condemned

humankind through bad example,

– Christ’s good example offered a path to salvation, 

Augustine• Perfection is

impossible without divine grace – We are born sinners

(original sin)

Continued Religious Controversy

• Missions from Continent to remnants of Christianity in Britain– More concern for deviation than paganism

Military decline

• Legion strength reduced to 10% of former level

• Limitanei less well trained• Units of federates?

Revolt in the Provinces• Military revolts elevate Marcus, Gratian

(407), Constantine III(407)• Withdrawal of troops

Revolt in Provinces

• Rejection of central authority– No taxation without protection?– Allegiance to Honorius not Constantine III?

• Reaction of Honorius– Inability to provide protection– No protection wo taxation?

The ties are broken

• 406 Effective end of diocesan control• 409 Britain expels Roman officials• 410 Defense of Britain left to civitates• Reassertion by elite Celts who occupy hill-

towns and forts in outlying areas.• End of Pax Romana• Migrations to Ireland, Brittany, Gaul

Breakdown of Urban Britain

• No new coins after 402 (?)• Abandoned homes• New homes built in rubble• Layers of black dirt – weeds or agricultural

use• Burial within walls

Verulamium

Canterbury Burial

Canterbury Burial

Environment

Climate Change

• Glacial advance c. 400• Increased rainfall c. 400• Cooling after 350• Sea level rise 120-400• Rhine freezes in 406 allowing barbarians to

cross

Impacts on Agriculture

• Marginal boundary drops in altitude• Increased rainfall-increased erosion• Impact of military demand• Disruption of traditional agriculture in

border regions• Changes in labor supply• Famine-reported by Gildas

Example: Upper Thames

• Spelt wheat disappears but flax and barley continue

• Cattle decrease while sheep increase• Exotics disappear• Reduced population, changed social

structure or climate change?

Agriculture and Influences

• Reforestation at end of Roman period• Loss of military market• Loss of urban markets• Loss of labor

Consequences

• Coinage disappears• Loss of skilled masons and engineers

– Timber buildings

• Loss of industry– Hand molded pottery

• Exceptions – continuity of use at some level

Continuity at Vindolanda

Latin inscription – British name

Christian symbol

Video LectureDr Andrew Gardner (UCL Institute of

Archaeology)

Originally given Tuesday 9 March 2010 http://www.ucl.ac.uk/lhl/lhlpub_spring10/13_090310

• Also at iTunes University and YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlwwLrA35YI.

The end of Roman Britain: what ended, when and why?

Legacy•What role did Roman culture play in Britain after the army left?

•What were the effects of 400+ years of contact and occupation?

Legacy of Rome - Food

• Introduced crops that remain during Anglo-Saxon period

• Introduced crops that disappear at end of Roman administration

• Introduced animals that remain after Roman administration ends

Vegetables, herbs

Meats

Fruits

Legacy of Rome

Language• Latin enters English through Anglo-Saxon• Latin enters English through Old English• Latin enters English through Norman

French• Latin enters English through Welsh?

Legacy of Rome

Political-Economic Structures• Written law• Cash economy - denarius• Fixed hierarchy• City

Legacy of Rome

Technology• Roads• Military – obsolete• Stone buildings – stone is recycled• City – Walls are later used

Legacy of Rome (and Greece) - Time

• Seven day week– Etruscans and early Romans used 8-day market

week– Days named for gods

• Lunar calendar aligned with solar year

Week

Greek Helios Selenes Ares Hermes Dios Aphrodie Kronos

Latin Sol Luna Mars Mercury Jove Venus Saturn

Old English

Sunnandæg Mōnan- Tīwes- Wōdnes- Þures- Frīgedæg Sæternes-

Legacy of Rome

Religion - Christianity• Remnant• Reintroduced from continent• Reintroduced from Ireland

Legacy of Rome

`By letting the vanquished become partners in your own law, you have made a single city out of what was once a world'.

Rutilius Namatianus c. 410

The Centurion’s Song

LEGATE, I had the news last night - my cohort ordered homeBy ships to Portus Itius and thence by road to Rome.I've marched the companies aboard, the arms are stowed below:Now let another take my sword. Command me not to go!

I've served in Britain forty years, from Vectis to the Wall,I have none other home than this, nor any life at all.Last night I did not understand, but, now the hour draws near That calls me to my native land, I feel that land is here.

The Centurion’s Song

Legate, I come to you in tears - My cohort ordered home!I've served in Britain forty years. What should I do in Rome?Here is my heart, my soul, my mind - the only life I know.I cannot leave it all behind. Command me not to go!

Rudyard Kipling

Roman Britain to Norman England

Planned for Fall 2012

Based in part on: Great CoursesThe Story of Medieval England