stage 28 culture Flashcards
when did Julius come to Britain? Where did he land? How many times did he come?
55 BC, the southeast coast of Britain, he came twice
About whom was Tacitus writing? What was this person’s connection with Britain? How were Tacitus and this person related?
Agricola, Agricola had a career in the army and was the governor of a province, he was Agricola’s father-in-law
Explain the basis for bias in the writings of Julius Caesar and Tacitus.
Julius Caesar wrote his work to try to justify his actions in front of the Roman senate and try to paint himself in a more favorable light. Tacitus was trying to honor Agricola’s career and highlight his success.
What was the task of the archaelogist?
To uncover and explain the remains of the past
Give two ways sites are located
There are some know sites, and some are found by accident
How was Fishbourne discovered?
A workman who was digging a drain came across parts of a mosaic floor in 1960.
What two things do archaeologists watch for on a site? What does this accomplish?
They watch for the existence and position of any building foundations and the way in which the various levels or layers of earth change color or texture (strata). This helps them discover the main features of the site.
What else do archaeologists look for? why?
Small objects in the soil (bones, pottery, jewelry, coins, etc.) - to discover information about the people who used to live on these sites (when, their lives, what happened to them, etc.)
What two finds help in dating an excavation site?
Roman coins (have the Emperor’s face on them) and pottery (the specific styles and patterns)
What information can pottery also reveal?
The trade and travel patterns in that general area (imports and exports) and the wealth of the person/people living on that site where they could have afforded imported goods
Trace the three-part development archaeologists have discovered on many sites in Britain.
Timber-framed farmhouse ➡ larger stone house ➡ multi roomed mansion w/ baths, mosaic pavements, and colonnades
What do excavations reveal about Roman activity in southeast Britain? about Roman activity in northwest Britain?
The Romano-British style villas were mostly found in the southeast, and the military fortresses were mostly found in the north and west. This means that Britains was mostly peaceful in the southeast but still fighting in the northwest.
What is revealed by the excavation of roads? the excavation of Romano-British towns? the excavation of military sites?
The excavated roads are proof that the communication was very numerous and effective. The excavated towns show how advanced urban life had been. The excavated military sites show how crucial the military was to maintaining peace in the provinces.
What is the source for much of the inscriptional evidence about Roman Britain?
The tombstones of soldiers
