medieval-atlas/events-to-about-850/34

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The Roman Empire and Roman Britain The Roman empire, which by the mid-second century AD covered an area of about four million square kilometres (1.5 million square miles), was divided into provinces: the more peaceful were governed by proconsulsappointed by the Roman senate and the less developed provinces, where the bulk of the army had permanent bases, by legates directly responsible to the emperor. Britain was a late addition to this empire. The island was invaded in AD 43 on the orders of the emperor Claudius. Southeastern Britain was quickly conquered, but the new province (named Britannia) was almost lost to Rome in 60-61 during a serious rebellion led by queen Boudica. However, from 71 onwards there was a new impetus under the F1avian emperors to complete the conquest. This was not achieved and the subsequent military operations in Scotland may be seen as series ofepisodes in a search for the best frontier line between that part of the island which was to be Roman and the tribes beyond. Most of the garrison of Roman Britain was deployed in the north and Wales. From the later first century onwards the three legions forming the backbone of the army in Britain lay at Caerleon, Chester and Yark, bases carefully chosen to control all the areas likely to be troublesome. Behind the frontier, towns sprang up, and in the countryside villas were built in the Roman manner. By 200 the province had reached a high level of prosperity, which remained relatively intact throughout the third century. After about 300 the province was increasingly buffeted by external attacks, from the Picts in the north, and raiders from Ireland and northern Germany. In 409 the Roman government formally abandoned Britain. -...../ Approximate boundary of the Roman Empire Approximate boundary of provinces Km' 100 300 500 BRITANNIA Roman Province 1Obmileido 360 AEGYPTUS 190 290 ~oo Roman miles The Roman Empire in the mid-second century DJB, WSH, LJFK, GSM [ff;/ (j) COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT' STATES Km' 100 300 500 106miJeido 300 '90 2pO qoo Aomanmiles UBYA Modern Europe

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