Hadrian and Britain: the civil zone

Fulford, M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8780-9691 (2022) Hadrian and Britain: the civil zone. Britannia, 53. pp. 85-97. ISSN 1753-5352 doi: 10.1017/S0068113X22000228

Abstract/Summary

The lack of written sources and the difficulties of establishing close chronologies from archaeological material means that it is difficult to identify initiatives other than the commissioning of Hadrian’s Wall that can confidently be attributed either to the emperor’s visit to Britain in 122 or to his reign more generally. However, the early second century presents several archaeological proxies which point to a quickening of economic activity integrating the frontiers of Wales and the north of Britain with the civil zone of the south. Developments in the countryside hint at the growth of larger estates, including the emergence of larger, ‘complex’ farms, villages and better communications, together assuring the province’s sustained ability to feed both military and civilian populations. At the same time there is evidence for public building across the towns of the south, especially of forum basilicas, which may be linked to administrative reforms including the establishment of new civitates.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/108182
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Science > School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science > Department of Archaeology
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
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