Roman baths in Whitestaunton, Somerset – Roman life had its attractions! © Victor Ambrus
[+]
Enlarge image
'...our style of dress came to be esteemed, and the toga became fashionable. Step by step they turned aside to alluring vices, porticoes, baths, elegant banquets. This in their inexperience they called "culture" , whereas it was but an aspect of their enslavement.' Tacitus referring to the Romanisation of the Britons.
Roman rule
Prior to the Roman invasion Britain was organised through a system of tribal groups who interacted with each other, but fiercely defended their own territories and interests. There was no sense of nation binding the tribes or any understanding of a tribal collective. As Tacitus tells us; if the tribes had been able to agree and fight together as a whole the Romans would have had a much tougher time. As it was the Romans had to deal with an uncivilised people and they imposed a system of government which incorporated many checks and balances that can still be recognised in political systems today.
The government
As a province of the empire Britannia was controlled by a governor who represented the emperor directly. The governor served a term of three or five years and was personally chosen for the job by the emperor. Their background was usually one of military prowess, such as an ex-legionary commander, together with shrewd political experience. The governor had council made up of associates called cohors amocorum together with a large administrative staff. Based in London (Londinium), the governor of Britannia was supported by two powerful officers; the Iuridicus who dealt with legal matters, and the procurator who presided over finances and taxation. The procurator was answerable directly to the emperor as a check against provincial fraud by the governor. The system of government took control of the native population by feeding responsibilities down to local level.
Local councils
A significant aspect of the government of Britain at a local level was the development of towns and centralised settlement. The official coloniae was populated by retired soldiers setting an example of what it is to be Roman. Other regional capitals were established called civitas capitals, such as Caerwent in south Wales. These acted as hubs for the surrounding region, centres of local government and administration.
A local council of some 100 members (ordo) was based at each civitas and coloniae. Four annually elected magistrates sat at the head of the chamber covering two areas of responsibility. The two aediles were responsible for public buildings, finance and taxation and two dicundo dealt with legal matters. The ordo was responsible for conducting census on the local population for taxation purposes. Being a member of the ordo also meant that you were expected to personally finance some council projects. This resulted in some prominent members of society regarding council as a symbol of status, while others tried to avoid service because of its financially sapping demands.
The widespread adoption of coinage, a sound infrastructure of roads, a census record of the population and a strong system of government all created a Roman administration which controlled both the economy and population of Britain, and the Romanisation of its people, as a province of the empire for nearly 400 years.
Click here for recommended books and websites about Roman Administration.
|
