Throughout its years as a part of the Roman Empire, from AD 43 to AD 410, parts of Britain became heavily Romanised. Tough many centuries have passed since the Romans left, evidence of their time remains, hidden beneath the soil.
The best preserved frontier of the Roman Empire, Hadrian’s Wall stretches across northern England
ILLUSTRATION: SOL 90, ALAMY X1, GETTY IMAGES X1
While most civilians probably continued to live in small settlements similar to those of pre-Roman times, local nobles and the elite were encouraged to move into Roman-style towns where they could be more easily controlled – and taxed. These towns were built of brick, stone and wood, in styles adapted from those of the Mediterranean.