AD 43-410 Roman

At this time the idea of ‘Wales’ as a political entity did not yet exist. The area was much like elsewhere in Britain and was populated by British tribes. In AD 48, after military campaigns southern and central Britain, the Romans turned their attention to Wales. It is possible that they were tempted in part by the prospect of rich resources of silver, lead and gold. Although the Romans quickly took the north, they encountered opposition from the Silurians in the south-east. Their resistance was so fierce that it took the Romans 30 years to occupy the region.

The Romans built fortresses at Deva (Chester) and Isca (Caerleon), as well as many auxiliary forts. However, the population was gradually subdued and in about 120 the first town was built at Venta Silurum (Caerwent). It was granted the status of civitas (regional capital) and the Britons were allowed to participate in governing the region. People who lived in the town and those who lived in the new farms and villas in the countryside may have felt quite ‘Romanised’. However, most Britons lived in scattered rural settlements and there is little evidence that Roman culture had much impact on their day-to-day lives.

In the late 4th century instability throughout the Roman Empire led to the withdrawal of military units from Britannia. Although coin finds suggest that some stayed for longer, most had left Wales by about 350.