Rebecca H. Jones

In 1949, in the aftermath of a devastating war, Eric Birley organised the First Congress of Roman Frontier Studies. His aim was not only to pursue the study of Roman frontiers but also to take a step towards restoring harmony in international relations within this field of research. The pattern was set early on: the exchange of information, networking and friendship. These three elements remain at the core of the approach of those organising and attending the Congress. They are reinforced by the pattern of the meetings, usually held every three years. The programme includes not only lectures but also visits to the local Roman military sites led by appropriate specialists. Over the 75 years since the First Congress, membership has grown enormously with more lecture theatres and more coaches being required every meeting. This publication marks the twenty-sixth Congress at Batumi in Georgia. It aims to help newer members understand the body they have joined; for those who have been attending for longer, it will be a reminder of friendships made and strengthened; for all, the book hopes to be a spur to continuing investigations and research into Rome’s greatest monument, its frontiers; for the moment of publication, it will be a celebration of the twenty-sixth Congress of Roman Frontier Studies.

The Roman Empire was one of the greatest of the ancient world, and expanding and maintaining that Empire required military might. While considerable research has been undertaken on Roman frontiers, fortresses and forts, Roman camps, the subject of this book, are one of the bridesmaids of the study of the fortifications of the Roman army. Although basic and only occupied for a short period, a number of camp sites have survived the ravages of time to tell us something of the movements and activities of the Roman army. They have now been recorded the length and breadth of the Roman Empire, but the area with the largest number of recognised camps is that of the island of Britain, with nearly 500 now known. Rebecca Jones commences this fascinating study with a general overview of the Roman conquest of Britain and an explanation of what Roman camps were used for and looked like. The focus then moves on to the archaeology of Roman camps in Britain, exploring how we know what we know and looking at the re-use and survival of these structures. Recent excavation and survey work is considered, as well as the distribution of camps and how our archaeological understanding can help interpret their chronology and context.

This book takes the form of a gazeteer of the temporary camps which the Romans constructed in South Wales when on the march. Whilst the permanent Roman forts are an ever popular field of study this book, examining what are often barely discernable earthworks fills a major gap. The sites are fully described, and the book includes a detailed discussion of the place of these camps in Roman military practice and strategy, as well as the development of the camps through the period of the Empire.