How successfully did the
Romans manage the
administration of Roman
Britain?
Context
Pre Roman Organisation
tribes
System of chiefdoms
No central
administrative system
Often warring
Not based on a single
province
Regional
Purpose of
administration
Control
Barbaric province
New
Fit Britain
into the
Roman
Empire
Resources
Type of administration
Military
Barbaric
Size of garrison
Governors were all
military
Agricola
Early
administration
Client Kings
Allowed to keep laws
and traditions
Carry weapons
Remain loyal to Rome
Some autonomy
Gain favour
Brigantes, Iceni, Regni/
Atrebates
Cogidubnus
Fishbourne
Transition
Successful?
Yes
Regni/Atrebates
Tribes did follow
the system
Relative peace
Establishes a system of
Roman Rule
No
Iceni
Boudicca
Revolt - against Roman Rule
Colchester
Trinovantes
Brigantes
Roman Administration
Governor
Picked for military Prowess
Nature of British Province
Agricola
Senatorial Class
Emperor's representative in Britain
Ultimate power in Britain
Finance not within his remit
In charge of the legions
Military
Princeps Praetori
Commentariensis
Speculatores
Administration
Cornicularii
adjudants
Beneficiari
Stratores
Staff of Clerks
Law
Legatus Juridicus
Praetor
Governor final court
of appeal
Cohors Amicourum
Unofficial advisors
Infrastructure
Roads and engineering
Procurator
Financial control
Inferior to governor but not subject
to him with direct access to the
Emperor
Limiting governor's power
Junior procurators
Mines not under
military control and
imperial estates
Equestrian - lower
Census and taxes - anona
Economic development
Local Administration
Colonies
5: Colchester, Gloucester,
Lincoln, York, London
Legionary Veteran settlements
Mini Romes
senate
Ordo
Consuls
Model Roman LIfe
Civitates
converted tribal areas into admin units
Grouping tribes into manageable sizes
Autonomy
Ordo
No quaestors or Augustalis
Cirencester, Silchester, Winchester
Municipium
Lower status colony
Verulamium
Vicus and Pagus
Vicus - smallest unit of admin
Usually on the forts
Pagus
Small sub-division
Rural area of admin
Wales, Cornwall & North
remain outside system of admin
regional
success
Changes over time
Divided into 2: 193-197
Britannia Inferior
Superior
Divided into 4: 296
Maxima Caesarensis
Britannia Prima
Britannia Secunda
Flavia Caesarensis
Changes indicate the
Roman desire to keep
Britain as a province
Administration is split
Civil
Vicar
Military
Duke
Count of the Saxon Shore
The Romans were extremely successful in their
administration of the Roman Province, in that Britain
remains a province for over 400 years. Despite
challenges to their power and authority, they were
able to adapt and reassert their power. Their only
failing being that the province cost more to
administer than it gave back to the Empire