50 BC-AD 400 Roman

During these 450 years north-west Europe was part of the Roman Empire. All aspects of life changed radically as culture, lifestyles and administration were transformed across the Empire during the reign of the first emperor, Augustus. In many areas, political life was centred on cities, although along the frontiers of the Empire the permanent presence of large Roman armies had a major impact. At many times, parts of north-west Europe were the base for rebellions against the imperial authorities in Rome and even ruled themselves for a number of years.

There were considerable contacts across the frontier, both peaceful and warlike, throughout this period, influencing the cultures and societies of peoples outside the Empire. Attacks and migrations by these peoples, and difficulties in running the Empire as a coherent unit, were to lead to the collapse of the Empire in Central and Western Europe from after AD 400-410. Migrant groups of German-speaking peoples such as the Visigoths, Franks and Saxons occupied and took control of all parts of the Western Empire.