Life in Roman Britain

Romans in Britain experienced a different lifestyle: * Different weather Distance from towns; isolation Unfamiliar Celtic customs Lack of many urban amenities

Native British lifestyle Most lived in the countryside Lived by farming with a little left over for trade House consisted of a single round room, with no windows & only one low door; an open fire in the center

Romano-British life Roman invasion in 43AD Within 30 years, Romano-British villas began to appear; most belonged to British people who were imitating a more Roman lifestyle These were not holiday retreats, but working farms These had rectangular rather than round buildings New building materials such as brick & tile Houses had 4 or 5 rooms

Romano-British Life Villas became more complicated with hypocaust (under floor) heating, ornamental gardens, mosaics, flushing toilets, glass windows, baths with tepidarium and caldarium They also had workshops, barns, quarters for farm laborers, sheds for animals, etc.

Farming Main crops were cereal grains: barley, oats, rye, wheat Animals included cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, horses, geese & hens, bees Some new fruits & vegies had been brought by the Romans, such as cherries & peas Heavier plow became available

Farms & Slaves A villa would be supervised by a farm manager, like Varica Labor was performed by slaves, most of such were British Celtic chieftains traded slaves taken in raids & inter- tribal warfare Slaves had some legal protection: an owner who killed a slave could be charged with murder but this was often ignored. As time sent on, slaves became increasingly scarce & expensive Gravestone from Chester was set up to the memory of 3 slaves who died young, including 2 10 year olds named Atilianus and Anti-Antilianus, probably twins

Lavatory Deleterious Quotidian Donation Indecorous Infidelity Deity marital

Astound Regal Diligence Deity Ennoble Necessitate Familiar Indelible