A Foot in Both Camps: The Civilian Suppliers of the Army in Roman Britain

Abstract

The civilian attendants and suppliers of the Roman army—those who were attached economically and voluntarily to the Roman military—are an important and understudied group. This article explores their roles and experiences during the Principate in Britain. It is argued that civilians were deeply involved in the functioning of the peacetime army’s supply-network; that these roles offered a scope for significant prosperity; and that the service community became increasingly integrated with local areas and incorporated many local agents. Further, the article argues that, in self-conception and in practice, they inhabited both ‘civilian’ and ‘military’ communities, the distinction between these two being weaker than is sometimes assumed. Finally, by examining the material in the light of globalisation theory, this article suggests that civilian attendants and suppliers can be seen as both ‘local’ and ‘global’, while also arguing for a greater appreciation for variability of experience among those traditionally seen as representing ‘global’ interests.