Roman Britain: Origin or Decline?

Dear Classical Wisdom Member,

Just as nature abhors a vacuum, so too does history detest neat timelines, much to the consternation of history teachers the world over. Sure, there are precise moments of change; a decisive battle that determines who is victorious and who is not, natural disasters that sink islands or ravage lands, and the crowning of queens, kings, and zealous dictators who are destined to shape their domains.

But for the most part, history proceeds at a slower pace and changes take shape gradually over time, like rivers cutting paths into stone. These transition periods between empires, technologies, religions and wars are fascinating because of their unique combinations. In their brackish waters the leaders, the artists, the philosophers as well as the everyday people must choose between a new and an old, pick allegiances and adapt or die...

And yet, these exciting periods of change and transformation are regularly overlooked in the history books, precisely because they do not fit neatly into a category. Neither representative of either region or warrior they fall through the cracks of discussion and contemplation... and yet they have so much to teach us! Especially for our modern minds who are witnessing so much upheaval in our own times!

So today we right that wrong with at least one absolutely fascinating example from history... one I dare say has impacted quite a number of you: That of Roman Britain.

The period between the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of the Anglo-Saxons is critical to British and Western History... but what exactly happened? What was it like? Was it a moment of destitution and despair or renewal and growth?

And how can studying this particular period in history help us understand modern Britain?

Discover Roman Britain with today’s podcast with Murray Dahm, an independent academic researcher and freelance historian based in Sydney, Australia. He is the author of several books, including Late Roman Infantryman vs Gothic Warrior as well as Finis Britanniae: A Military History of Late Roman Britain and the Saxon Conquest.

Before you delve into the video above (or read the transcript), a special thank you to our Classical Wisdom Members who help keep this project - and the Classics - alive and well. During moments of change we need more than ever the lessons of history to help guide us and to demonstrate what works... and what doesn’t. But for us (and future generations) to benefit from this ancient wisdom, we need to ensure it is read and preserved. By contributing to this endeavor, you are helping keep the light of history on. Thank you.

If you are not a member, but would like to support this mission and be a part of our project, please join our community today:

All the best,

Anya Leonard

Founder and Director
Classical Wisdom