History of Roman Britain [Paperback]

Peter Salway (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 31, 2001

'One could not ask for a more meticulous or scholarly assessment of what Britain meant to the Romans, or Rome to Britons, than Peter Salway's Monumental Study' Frederick Raphael, Sunday Times From the invasions of Julius Caesar to the unexpected end of Roman rule in the early fifth century AD and the subsequent collapse of society in Britain, this book is the most authoritative and comprehensive account of Roman Britain ever published for the general reader. Peter Salway's narrative takes into account the latest research including exciting discoveries of recent years, and will be welcomed by anyone interested in Roman Britain.

Editorial Reviews

Review

`There will be new discoveries; but this is a book that will surely stand the test of time.' TLS

About the Author

Peter Salway, formerly a Fellow of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, and subsequently of All Souls College, Oxford, is an Emeritus Professor of the Open University and Chairman of the Oxford Archaeological Unit. Roman Britain (Vol. I of the Oxford History of England, hbk 1981, pbk 1984). He was a contributor to K.O. Morgan (ed.): The Oxford Illustrated History of Great Britain (hbk 1984, pbk 1986), C. Haigh (ed.): The Cambridge Historical Encyclopaedia of Great Britain and Ireland (CUP, 1985), and B. Ford (ed.): The Cambridge Guide to the Arts in Britain (CUP, 1988). He has also written reviews for the TLS and the THES, and has appeared in television and radio broadcasts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 606 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press (May 31, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192801384
• ISBN-13: 978-0192801388
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,113,264 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent History of Roman Britain, March 28, 2000

By 

R. Nemeth (Berkeley, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A History of Roman Britain (Paperback)

I should preface this by saying that I am not a person who usually reads histories for fun, but this book is quite impressive. Salway manages to present a massive amount of detail without overwhelming the reader. At no point is the narrative stuffy or dull, and it is frequently amusing and very interesting. I would have prefered at least some photos or drawings (there are none), but the facts and commentary are colorful enough to keep you interested. Based on other books I've read on this period, and a course on the topic, Salway's information seems quite accurate. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in Roman history and culture, Celtic history (what there is of it), and the relationships between Britain and the rest of the ancient world. Most historians seem wed to the dry listing of dates and battles, but Salway presents enough cultural information to keep things interesting enough for laymen (or even anthropologists...). Its a bit long - several hundred pages, but I highly recommend this book.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Concise History of Roman Britain, March 9, 2005

By 

Octavius (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: History of Roman Britain (Paperback)

Peter Salway's book offers a good insight into the evolution of Roman Britain from Julius Caesar's first expeditions in 55 and 54 BC to the fall of the Roman Empire c. 475 A.D. Rather easy to read, its a book that can be enjoyed by historians and casual readers.

Peter Salway begins his book with background information on pre-Celtic England and the Celtic culture and then proceeds to discuss Romes first contacts with the Island under Julius Caesar. As the book notes, Julius Caesar's British expeditions were failures in terms of conquests but successful as exploratory ones. The book then glosses over the period between Caesar and Claudius to discuss Britain's full invasion under Claudius. The book discusses the effects of the invasion on the Celtic cultures and how they eventually incorporated many Roman customs into their own lives. The book also covers trade and economics in the region.

This is altogether a great book that covers the subject quite well. It's easy to read by anyone whether they have an advanced understanding of the subject or not.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, easily understood outline of Roman Britain History, February 24, 2007

By 

Linda C. Grindel "Linda" (California) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: History of Roman Britain (Paperback)

I wanted a book with a easily understood story of the history of Roman Britain for my own personal knowledge. I found it in this book. Highly recommend.