Publications
Frontiers of the Roman Empire: The Frontier of the Roman Province of Raetia
The Roman Province of Raetia emerges as a critical geopolitical crossroads and defensive frontier, bridging the eastern and western Roman Empire while safeguarding Italy. This study reveals its dual role through comprehensive archaeological and historical analysis, tracing troop deployment, local population dynamics, and frontier organization from early imperial times to Late Antiquity. A key finding is Raetia's strategic significance, now recognized under UNESCO’s World Heritage initiative as part of the Upper German-Raetian Limes and Danube Limes (Western Segment), underscoring its universal cultural value. The research integrates cutting-edge methods with rich illustrations, offering insights that support heritage preservation efforts along this historically pivotal region.
Current Approaches to Roman Frontiers. Proceedings of the 25th International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies 1
Roman frontiers, spanning over 6,000 kilometers along rivers, mountain ranges, and artificial barriers, serve as dynamic zones of contact, exchange, and coercion that reflect the socio-political complexities of the Roman Empire. This volume, part of the proceedings from the 25th International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies (LIMES XXV), introduces innovative approaches to studying these frontiers, including feminist perspectives, digital methodologies, computational modeling, and archaeological heritage management. It also compares the Roman Limes with the Great Wall of China, offering a comprehensive exploration of frontier dynamics that bridges diverse scholarly interests. The congress, held in Nijmegen in 2022, brought together a global community of researchers to analyze these frontiers through interdisciplinary lenses, providing new insights into their role in shaping imperial spaces.
High-resolution isotopic data link settlement complexification to infant diets within the Roman Empire
A significant link between settlement complexity and infant breastfeeding duration has been identified within the Roman Empire, with urban centers like Pompeii and Thessaloniki showing adherence to medical guidelines of weaning infants by age two. This finding emerges from high-resolution Bayesian-modeled stable isotope measurements from incremental dentine of permanent first molars, revealing inter-site variability in breastfeeding durations ranging from 1.5 years to approximately 5 years. The study compiled isotopic data from multiple Roman sites, including new analyses from Pompeii and Ostia Via del Mare (AVM), suggesting that adherence to medical guidelines, support infrastructures, or financial strategies may have influenced these practices.
Soldiers and Society: The Army in Numidia
Recent studies have broadened the understanding of Roman frontier dynamics by examining the army's role as a 'social instrument' beyond its military function, particularly in Numidia. This approach reveals complex economic and social relationships between soldiers and local populations, contributing to political integration into the Roman Empire. Building on works like Elizabeth Fentress's Numidia and the Roman Army and Michel Janon's methodologies, these syntheses offer novel insights into frontier studies, addressing gaps left by earlier technical-military analyses. By deploying new research methods, they challenge traditional narratives and deepen our comprehension of how peripheral regions became part of the Empire.
Supplying the Roman Empire. Proceedings of the 25th International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies 4
The Roman Empire's frontiers, spanning over 6,000 km along rivers, mountain ranges, and artificial barriers, were dynamic zones of contact, exchange, coercion, and exclusion. These frontiers, central to the International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies (LIMES), offer a diverse array of topics for scholarly exploration. This volume, part of the proceedings from the 25th LIMES Congress held in Nijmegen in 2022, delves into various aspects of supply and provisioning within the empire, focusing on organic material finds, riverine and maritime supply systems, militarily controlled mining, building material procurement, agro-political schemes, water management, and military material culture. The collection aims to provide both generalists and specialists with coherent thematic collections, making complex topics more accessible.
A wall or a road? A remote sensing-based investigation of fortifications on Rome's eastern frontier
A remote sensing-based investigation challenges the long-standing notion that Rome's eastern frontier fortifications were primarily defensive structures. By analyzing declassified images from CORONA and HEXAGON spy satellites, researchers identified 396 previously unrecorded forts across the northern Fertile Crescent, significantly expanding our understanding of Roman military architecture in this region. This extensive distribution suggests that these fortifications served a dual purpose: not only as defensive barriers but also as key nodes facilitating the movement of people and goods through the Syrian steppe, thereby redefining their role in Rome's imperial strategy.
From Empire-wide integration to regional localization: A synthetic and quantitative study of heterogeneous amphora data in Roman Germania reveals centuries-long change in regional patterns of production and consumption
A groundbreaking analysis of amphorae data from Roman Germania reveals dynamic shifts in trade patterns over 550 years, transitioning from empire-wide integration to regional localization. The study, utilizing probabilistic aoristic methods, uncovers how connections with distant regions like the Eastern Mediterranean and Iberian Peninsula fluctuated over time, while local German producers increasingly competed with imported goods. This research provides a transparent, reproducible case study of market activity pulsation within the Roman economy, offering new insights into long-term economic changes along the empire's frontier.
Frontiers of the Roman Empire: Hadrian''s Wall
Hadrian's Wall, a monumental Roman frontier spanning 117 km with extensions and comprising stone walls, turf ramparts, towers, fortlets, and forts, stands as a testament to the strategic and defensive capabilities of the Roman Empire. This series of books provides an accessible summary of Hadrian's Wall while contextualizing it within the broader narrative of Roman frontiers, which stretch across 20 countries and encapsulate one of history's greatest ancient states. The wall, constructed under Emperor Hadrian to separate Romans from 'barbarians,' was a complex military installation that took years to build and remained in development until Hadrian's death in 138 AD. The publication combines historical insights with archaeological findings, offering both an informative guide for visitors and a comprehensive overview of the Roman frontier's significance.
Frontiers of the Roman Empire: The Danube Limes in Austria
The Danube Limes in Austria stands as one of the most extensive and well-preserved remnants of the Roman Empire's frontier system, stretching over 7,500 kilometers across 20 countries. This series of booklets not only educates visitors about the historical significance of these frontiers but also serves as a practical guide, highlighting Austria’s exceptional survival of military installations such as forts and towers, some reaching up to two stories high. These structures offer a tangible connection to Rome's lost might, with artifacts like inscriptions, sculptures, weapons, and pottery providing further insight into the lives of soldiers and civilians who inhabited these frontiers. The booklet aims to increase awareness and visitation of this remarkable heritage, blending historical narrative with archaeological detail.
Frontiers of the Roman Empire
Roman Imperial frontiers were not rigid boundaries but complex, overlapping zones shaped by political, military, judicial, and financial interactions. This study challenges the traditional linear model of frontiers, using case studies like Civilis' revolt on the Rhine (AD 69) and Dura-Europos to illustrate dynamic frontier relationships. It highlights regional variation in empire acquisition and governance, emphasizing trade's central role—particularly through Palmyra—as a driver of frontier dynamics. The research integrates archaeological evidence with theoretical analysis to redefine how Roman provinces were structured and how allied kingdoms interacted with the empire.
Frontiers of the Roman Empire: The Eastern Frontiers
Rome's eastern frontier, stretching from the Black Sea to the Red Sea, served as a critical bulwark against Parthia and later Sasanian Persia. This volume highlights the Levant region—modern Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, and Palestine—as Rome’s primary defensive zone, while also covering the annexed Nabataean kingdom (later Arabia) and the strategically significant but understudied Cappadocian frontier in Turkey. Though much of this remote frontier lies submerged beneath reservoirs, the volume includes a unique account by Arrian of the Caucasian forts along the Black Sea, offering rare archaeological insight into Rome’s least-explored eastern defenses. The study underscores the region's geopolitical and topographical challenges, while acknowledging gaps—such as the Cappadocian frontier—that warrant future investigation.
Hadrian's Wall and Border Studies: Problems and Prospects
Hadrian's Wall, a symbol of Roman frontier infrastructure, offers valuable insights when analyzed through the lens of Border Studies. This interdisciplinary approach reveals its significance beyond historical context, connecting it to modern debates and cultural representations. The study highlights that while Border Studies may sometimes misrepresent the Wall due to contextual disconnects, its innovative theories on frontiers and borderlands can significantly enhance Roman archaeology. By integrating detailed community studies with broader frontier theories, this research bridges gaps in Roman provincial archaeology, providing a more nuanced understanding of Hadrian's Wall and its role in the Roman Empire.
Migration and Ethnic Dynamics in the Lower Rhine Frontier Zone of the Expanding Roman Empire (60 BC–AD 20): A Historical-Anthropological Perspective
A substantial influx of immigrant groups from east of the Rhine occurred during the Roman Empire's expansion, contradicting historical models that suggested more homogeneous origins. This finding emerges from a pilot project analyzing the Batavian river delta using combined archaeological methods, revealing complex processes of migration, fusion, and fission among tribes reshaping power dynamics in the frontier zone. The study underscores how conflict-induced migrations contributed to the reordering of tribal maps around 60 BC–AD 20, offering new insights into Roman frontier dynamics.
The Northern Frontier
Excavations at the Roman fort of Vindolanda, spanning over forty years, have revealed significant insights into the management and dynamics of Rome's northern frontier in Britain. The study highlights a period of relative stability along the Stanegate, marked by controlled movement through fortified garrisons and often friendly interactions between Roman troops and local peoples. Notably, letters from Vindolanda provide detailed information about military units stationed there, including the Tungri and Batavi, during the late first and early second centuries. This research sheds light on Rome's strategic adjustments following its withdrawal from northern Scotland around 86–87 AD, coinciding with aggressive campaigns in Dacia under Emperor Trajan.
Food, farming and trade on the Danube frontier: plant remains from Roman Aelia Mursa (Osijek, Croatia)
Excavations at the Roman town of Aelia Mursa, near the Danube frontier in Croatia, have uncovered an extraordinary assemblage of food remains dating to the early 2nd century AD. The findings include a diverse range of economically significant plants such as barley, bread wheat, lentils, and broad beans, alongside fruits, nuts, herbs, and vegetables like carrots, garlic, figs, grapes, and olives. Notably, exotic foods including pepper, rice, and pomegranate were also identified, providing rare evidence of long-distance trade on the Roman frontier. The study analyzed plant remains from a series of pits, offering unprecedented insights into the dietary habits, agricultural practices, and trade networks of the Roman Empire's Danube region.
The Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site
The management and protection of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site present significant challenges, particularly when integrating portable objects like inscriptions and artifacts that are exempt from World Heritage classification. This study highlights the complexities of preserving individual sites while safeguarding the entire site's integrity. It also offers a forward-looking vision for the sustainable future of this international heritage area. The research employs a comprehensive approach to address these issues, ensuring both academic rigor and practical applicability.
What Divides Us Also Connects Us: Roman Frontiers, World Heritage and Community
Roman Frontiers (Limes) serve as a unifying cultural heritage, transcending national boundaries and fostering global connections. This study highlights the potential of transnational World Heritage recognition for Roman Frontiers to address contemporary challenges like climate change and pandemics by promoting community engagement and local pride. The research builds on existing collaborations within the International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies, aiming to create a networked series of World Heritage properties that reflect the Empire's development, expansion, and trade dynamics. By leveraging shared cultural heritage, these frontiers offer a framework for societal resilience in the 21st century.
Border Communities at the Edge of the Roman Empire
A systematic analysis of archaeological remains in the ancient civitas Cananefatium, located between the Lower Rhine and Meuse rivers in present-day South Holland, Netherlands, reveals significant insights into the formation and evolution of a border community during Roman times. This study provides an unprecedented overview of how the Roman state influenced local administrative regions, highlighting interactions among urban, military, and rural communities along the empire's frontiers. By examining spatial patterns, material culture, and social structures, researchers have uncovered nuanced differences between this region and other border areas, offering a deeper understanding of Roman governance and its impact on peripheral societies.
Roman Bridges on the Lower Part of the Danube
Roman bridges along the lower Danube, including lesser-known structures beyond Trajan's bridge at Drobeta Turnu Severin, reveal advanced engineering techniques used during the Roman Empire's expansion into Dacia. These bridges underscore the strategic importance of conquering and administering the region, with surviving evidence demonstrating sophisticated construction methods that reflect the era's progress in public works infrastructure.
The Body in the Ditch: Alternative Funerary Practices on the Northern Frontier of the Roman Empire?
Disarticulated human remains of a male individual, recovered from a first-century fort ditch at Vindolanda on the Roman Empire's northwestern frontier, challenge traditional views of funerary practices. Ancient DNA analysis confirmed the skeletal remains' identity, while forensic taphonomic analysis suggested primary deposition in a waterlogged environment without formal burial. This discovery highlights the complexity and variability of Roman-era disposal practices, contradicting historical sources that imply more standardized rituals. The study underscores the need to reconsider how ancient societies managed their dead, particularly on empire frontiers.
The byres tale: farming nutrient-poor coversands at the edge of the Roman Empire (NW-Belgium)
Archaeological research at the edge of the Roman Empire in northwest Belgium reveals that sunken byres, or 'potstallen,' were likely used for intentional fertilisation rather than simply as stable floors. The study suggests a gradual process of deepening these features over time, with evidence pointing to the application of plaggen fertilisation—mixing dung with sods—in at least some phases of use. This challenges the assumption that such byres were dug out post-occupational or levelled after abandonment. The research combines field observations, analytical data, and micromorphological analysis to reconstruct the infill process and origin of these remarkable features in nutrient-poor cover sands.
Hugh Elton, Frontiers of the Roman Empire
Hugh Elton's Frontiers of the Roman Empire offers a comprehensive analysis of Rome's frontier systems, revealing their complex interplay between military strategy and cultural exchange. The book challenges traditional narratives by emphasizing the fluidity and adaptability of these frontiers, rather than viewing them as rigid boundaries. Elton employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating archaeological evidence, historical records, and geographical data to reconstruct the dynamics of Roman expansion. His work highlights how frontier zones functioned as spaces of interaction, trade, and identity formation, reshaping our understanding of Rome's imperial reach.
The Value of Studying Roman Frontiers
Roman frontier studies reveal critical insights into the Empire's relationships with its neighbors, yet they have been sidelined in mainstream UK academia despite their public appeal. This paper argues that analyzing frontier works is essential for a comprehensive understanding of Rome's interactions and dynamics. It emphasizes the importance of detailed examination before synthesizing broader narratives, advocating for the inclusion of frontiers beyond Britain—both geographically and temporally—to enrich historical perspectives.
Developments in Animal Husbandry and Food Supply in Roman Germania Inferior
A detailed zooarchaeological analysis of Roman Germania Inferior reveals significant regional and temporal variations in animal husbandry practices, with distinct differences between western and eastern parts of the province. The study highlights inter- and intra-site variability in species proportions and cattle size, particularly within the well-documented Batavorum civitas, suggesting evolving farming and food supply systems. Changes in butchery methods over time further underscore the dynamic nature of Roman agricultural practices along the Rhine frontier.
Frontiers and Mobilities: The Frontiers of the Roman Empire and Europe
Roman frontiers, recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, offer valuable insights for contemporary Europe by serving as sites of encounter and transformation. This study bridges the fields of border studies and Roman Frontier Studies to explore how ancient frontiers can inform modern debates on integration and border dissolution. By analyzing the relationship between the Roman Frontiers initiative and the European Union's goals, it advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration to reflect on current challenges facing Europe. The research emphasizes frontiers as dynamic spaces where cultural exchange and transformation occurred, providing a lens through which to examine present-day border dynamics.
Frontiers of the Roman Empire
A comprehensive exploration of the Roman frontiers, known as 'limes' in German literature, reveals that these frontiers were not merely defined by military structures but also by complex social and cultural dynamics. The study emphasizes a shift from traditional military-focused interpretations to broader analyses that incorporate the experiences and identities of populations living along and beyond these frontiers. Spanning from the 1st to early 5th century, this research highlights the multifaceted nature of frontier heritage, moving away from material remains to encompass historical, social, and interpretive dimensions. It also addresses contemporary approaches to preserving and understanding this heritage in the 21st century.
Livestock for Sale: Animal Husbandry in a Roman Frontier Zone
Archaeological excavations at the civitas Batavorum, a key settlement on the northwestern frontier of the Roman Empire, reveal significant insights into its economy, military importance, and domestic life. The study employs advanced archaeological techniques to uncover details about livestock trade, food supply for the Roman army, and town infrastructure, including religious and domestic buildings. This research provides the most comprehensive understanding yet of animal husbandry in a Roman frontier zone, offering valuable data on provincial rural economies during this period.
Querns and mills during Roman times at the northern frontier of the Roman Empire (Belgium, Northern France, Southern Netherlands, Western Germany): Unraveling geological and geographical provenances, a multidisciplinary research project
A multidisciplinary analysis of querns and millstones from the northern Roman Empire (1st–4th century CE) reveals the exploitation of at least seven distinct rock types, including sedimentary and volcanic materials sourced from regions such as the Eifel area, Ardennes Massif, and Paris/Northern Sea Basin. Comparative petrographical, mineralogical, and geochemical techniques identified these raw materials, shedding light on their stratigraphic origins and distribution patterns. The study also highlights diversity in mill production (hand-mills vs. mechanical mills) and trade networks, offering new insights into the socio-economics of Gallo-Roman communities and their integration within the Roman Empire's northern frontier.
Wood exploitation and food supply at the border of the Roman Empire: the case of thevicusof Thamusida – Sidi Ali ben Ahmed (Morocco)
Archaeological research at the Roman vicus of Thamusida in Morocco reveals that this frontier settlement was self-sufficient in both forestry and agricultural products from the 1st century BC to the 4th century AD. Interdisciplinary analysis, combining archaeobotanical and archaeometric studies, demonstrates sustained exploitation of a nearby Quercus suber (cork oak) forest for timber, fuelwood, cork, and livestock fodder, indicating human influence predating Roman occupation. Charred remains also highlight a diverse diet based on locally grown cereals like barley and naked wheats, pulses such as horse bean and pea, and fruits including olives and grapes. While the settlement relied primarily on local resources, imported goods like oil and wine were transported via amphorae from across the Roman Empire, underscoring its integration into broader trade networks despite its remote location.
Quod nunc Rubrum ad mare patescit: the mare Rubrum as a frontier of the Roman Empire
A re-evaluation of Tacitus' 'Annals' reveals that the Red Sea (mare Rubrum) was perceived as a new frontier of the Roman Empire following the annexation of the Nabataean kingdom, rather than a boundary for Roman Egypt. This insight challenges previous interpretations and underscores the significance of this expansion in Roman imperial strategy. The study employs close textual analysis to dissect Tacitus' allusive language, particularly the use of 'nunc,' which hints at recent territorial changes. By focusing on the southern Arabian frontier, the research provides a nuanced understanding of how Rome's imperial ambitions were communicated and perceived during this period.
Ex Oriente Ad Danubium; The Syrian Units on the Danube Frontier of the Roman Empire
Roman military strategy on the Danube frontier incorporated Syrian units, as revealed by historical and archaeological evidence. These units played a crucial role in securing the empire's northern border, blending Eastern tactical innovations with Roman organizational frameworks. The study analyzes their deployment, training, and cultural integration through textual sources, inscriptions, and material culture, offering new insights into the Roman army's adaptability and multicultural dynamics during the 2nd to 4th centuries CE.
Claustra Alpium Iuliarum - protecting late Roman Italy
The Claustra Alpium Iuliarum, a late Roman linear defense system, was strategically positioned to protect Italy from northeastern incursions. Unlike the Empire's outer borders, this structure was built within its territory along the Julian Alps, spanning from Croatia's northern Adriatic to Slovenia's Soča valley. It featured walls, towers, and fortresses, safeguarding a crucial via publica between Aquileia and Emona with multiple defense lines. The study integrates literary sources, numismatic evidence, and archaeological excavations, addressing chronological challenges in the construction of this late Roman defense structure.
Frontiers and Borderlands in Imperial Perspectives: Exploring Rome's Egyptian Frontier
Egypt's Great Oasis functioned as a critical buffer zone for the Roman Empire, protecting Nile Valley inhabitants from desert nomads through its conceptual, physical, and human dimensions. This study reveals that the oases, consisting of two linked regions, required specific imperial frontier policies that were not merely economic or militaristic but also ideological. By analyzing documentary sources and archaeological material from the Roman period (ca. 30 B.C.E. to the sixth century C.E.), the research introduces a new theoretical approach that integrates space and social perception to understand borderland developments in imperial contexts.
The Roman Limes in the Netherlands: how a delta landscape determined the location of the military structures
A new palaeogeographical reconstruction reveals that the distinctive landscape of the Lower Rhine delta, characterized by numerous tributaries, dictated the spatial arrangement of Roman military structures. All forts (castella) were strategically placed on southern natural levees along the river Rhine, regardless of subsoil conditions, to guard waterways and control access from Germanic territories and the Meuse tributary. This integrated system of castella and watchtowers initially served as a defensive barrier against Germanic invasions and facilitated secure transport routes for army supplies during the British invasion in 43 A.D., later evolving into a frontier zone by the end of the first century. The study leverages LIDAR-derived digital elevation models, soil maps, and excavation data to elucidate these environmental-military interactions.
Hadrian's Wall and the End of Empire
Hadrian's Wall, a late Roman frontier, challenges traditional narratives of decline and collapse by demonstrating its transition from an imperial border zone to integration into Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. This study, the first comprehensive English-language treatment of a late Roman frontier, combines archaeological and documentary evidence to analyze the role of limitanei—frontier soldiers crucial for maintaining late imperial frontiers—and their relationship with local communities. It also assesses the impact of Rome's end on Britain and its influence on Northumbria's development. The research emphasizes the late Roman occupation and military, providing a nuanced perspective on frontier dynamics within the broader imperial context.
Forts and Landscape on the Southwest Border of Roman Dacia
A comprehensive survey of Roman forts, roads, and landscapes along the southwest border of Roman Dacia reveals critical insights into the Empire's frontier dynamics. Researchers from Babeş-Bolyai University employed advanced GPS mapping techniques to record precise coordinates and landscape characteristics for each fort, providing a detailed spatial analysis. This approach highlights the strategic significance of these structures within the broader context of Roman territorial control and military organization. The study's findings are visualized through meticulous maps, offering new perspectives on the interplay between human settlement patterns and natural landscapes during this pivotal period.
Geophysical prospection of the frontiers of the Roman Empire in southern Germany, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Geophysical prospection, particularly magnetometry, successfully uncovered the precise location and structural details of a Roman fort at Oberhochstatt, previously elusive despite extensive searches. This non-destructive technique also refined the map of another fort at Theilenhofen, revealing its fortifications, water supply, troop levels, and confirming the presence of an underlying Roman vicus. The study demonstrates magnetometry's efficacy in advancing archaeological knowledge without excavation, crucial for preserving UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Roman Limes in southern Germany.
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