Roman civil and military architecture in the province of Britain: Aspects of patronage, influence and craft organization

Abstract

Abstract Romanization involved the introduction of monumental architecture to Britain. The associated decorated stonework from early towns and military forts provides a means of assessing the relative importance of official and private patronage in the process of the province's development. Analysis of Corinthian and Tuscan column capitals and of column bases shows that traditions of stone architecture did not become established until the mid‐7os. Thereafter, three distinct architectural regions are identifiable: the civilian lowland zone (strongly influenced by north‐eastern Gaul); the north‐west Midlands; and the predominantly military north. There is a marked division between military and civilian work, and no sign from the evidence of architectural decoration that the Roman army in Britain played any part in the urban development of most of the province.