Whether we realise it or not, most of our everyday lives are still shaped by the ancient Roman civilisation that conquered Britain approximately 2000 years ago. We can only imagine how primitive Britain must have appeared to the Romans, when they arrived. People were living in mud huts, whilst the Romans had left behind them their villas. The British bathed in rivers, whilst their invaders would conduct business meetings in public baths The Romans were to change Britain forever.
Britannia
By the time the Romans were called back by their legion in 409 AD, they left behind them a place called Britannia. They had converted the British Isles from a collection of many separate districts into one, organised province. They had also relocated the capital of Britain from Colchester to a place called Londinium (London). Within these huge developments were many other changes that still survive today.
The Romans that settled in Britain introduced Christianity. Churches were built in the Roman style, known as Basilica.
The British elite received an education, which included Latin. When the Romans left Britain many people could read and write.
Roman Roads
The Romans engineered over 6,000 miles of straight roads. The network still survives today. One of the most famous of these and certainly the most loved amongst shopaholics is Oxford Street in London.
The Market Place
People had begun to move away from the countryside and live in the new towns that had sprung up during the Roman’s rule. The economic centre of these was the market place, where people could buy and sell their goods, including imports for the first time.
It was at these market places that foreign food native to Rome was bought and sold, such as garlic, onions, shallots, olives, figs, dates, parsley, sweet chestnut and chickens. The elite, who ate these foods, now lived in villas, in the Roman architectural style.
Roman Leisure Time
Many remains of Roman Britain can still be seen today. Perhaps one of the most outstanding examples is that of the Roman Baths in the town of Bath, in Somerset. This is now open as a museum to a way of life, which the Romans introduced into Britain. The baths were used not only as places to get clean, but also as sancturies in which to relax, socialise and conduct meetings.
The natives of Britain learnt from the Romans how to relax in their surroundings. The Romans introduced the enjoyment of a garden, a pleasure that still survives today. Scented flowers, such as lavender, juniper, roses and violets were introduced from Rome.
When the Romans retreated from Britain they left behind an organised society of four million, of whose elite were well educated and people’s aspirations were a lot higher than when they had arrived. This ensured that the country continued to develop in a way that the Roman's influence can still be felt even today.
Sources
BBC Learning Zone. What Did The Romans Eat? Accessed 11/05/11
BBC Primary History. Roman Remains. Accessed 11/05/11
Dan Snow. Five Days That Changed Britian. Accessed 11/05/11
BBC History Magazine. The End Of Roman Britain: Where History Happened. Accessed 11/05/11
Open University. Romans In Britain. Accessed 11/05/11
David Starkey. Crown & Country A History of England Through the Monarchy. HarperPress. 2006
Tabitha Davies - I work as a freelance writer and have had work published in a variety of magazines, including Prima Magazine, Popular Astronomy and ...
Join the Conversation