This 10-week course will provide an introduction to Roman Britain. Dr David Rudling will start by reviewing the state of Britain prior to the two Roman invasions of 55/54 BC and AD 43. Using historical and archaeological sources we will then explore the reasons for, and events of, these invasions, and the gradual expansion during the late first century of Roman control and settlements to the north and west. We will then consider the methodology of colonisation and 'romanization'. Aspects of life in Roman Britain period (AD 43-410) will be discussed next, ie the army, towns, other nucleated settlements, villas, peasant farmsteads, field systems and farming, roads, industry/the economy, religion, and burial practices. We will finish by considering the ‘End of Roman Sussex’. The various topics will be considered from the perspectives of both the Romans and the native population.

Please note that this course will run through half term week on 29th October and there will be no class on 26 November.

Dr David Rudling is the Academic Director of the Sussex School of Archaeology. He is also an Honorary Research Fellow and Visiting Lecturer at the University of Roehampton.

Previously David worked for 25 years for the UCL Field Archaeology Unit, before switching to the University of Sussex where he was Senior Lecturer in Archaeology (Continuing Education). David’s research interests include Roman rural settlements and land-use, religion and ritual in Roman Britain and beyond, and ancient and medieval coins. Sites excavated by David include Bignor Roman Villa and Chanctonbury Ring. David is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and a Member of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists.