The economic and political challenges along the maritime borders of the Roman Empire were multiple. The North Sea coasts were the focus of the attention of traders within the framework of commercial exchanges, of the General Staff preparing for the conquest of Britain under Claudius, and for the def...

The economic and political challenges along the maritime borders of the Roman Empire were multiple. The North Sea coasts were the focus of the attention of traders within the framework of commercial exchanges, of the General Staff preparing for the conquest of Britain under Claudius, and for the defence of the coastlines from the time that their protection became required.

The design of a defensive system and the establishment of a supportive force followed a long path through five centuries, adapting to each development and changing strategy and evolving military installations. It had to face the threat of Saxon pirates, not to mention the use of the Roman fleet for political purposes as under Carausius.

Military systems are complex because they rely upon the combination of various elements, ports, fleets – thus the famous Classis Britannica – forts protecting estuaries and watch-towers. This border represents a page in military maritime history, but its coasts, in Great Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium and France, contain archaeological sites of high heritage value that deserve a large audience.

Contents

FRONTIERS OF THE ROMAN EMPIREForeword by Raymond Brulet

Common cultural heritage of the Roman Empire

The Roman Empire

Frontiers and trade

The “Frontiers of the Roman Empire” World Heritage Site

The definition of a World Heritage Site

The task ahead

History and extent of frontiers

Rome´s foreign policy

The location of frontiers

The army and frontiers

The purpose of frontiers

Soldiers and civilians

Military administration

Research on Roman frontiers

Inscriptions and documents

Survey and excavation

Aerial survey

Protection and presentation of frontiers

Future perspectivesTHE SAXON SHORE AND THE MARITIME COASTThe Claudian invasion of Britain

The* Classis Britannica *

Coastal defence to the mid-3rd century

The impact of increasing threat in the later 3rd century

The developed British Shore Forts

Carausius and the chronology of the British forts

The Saxon Shore

4th-century fort life

The end

Afterlife