Publications
Frontiers of the Roman Empire: The Frontier of the Roman Province of Raetia
The Roman Province of Raetia emerges as a critical geopolitical crossroads and defensive frontier, bridging the eastern and western Roman Empire while safeguarding Italy. This study reveals its dual role through comprehensive archaeological and historical analysis, tracing troop deployment, local population dynamics, and frontier organization from early imperial times to Late Antiquity. A key finding is Raetia's strategic significance, now recognized under UNESCO’s World Heritage initiative as part of the Upper German-Raetian Limes and Danube Limes (Western Segment), underscoring its universal cultural value. The research integrates cutting-edge methods with rich illustrations, offering insights that support heritage preservation efforts along this historically pivotal region.
Current Approaches to Roman Frontiers. Proceedings of the 25th International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies 1
Roman frontiers, spanning over 6,000 kilometers along rivers, mountain ranges, and artificial barriers, serve as dynamic zones of contact, exchange, and coercion that reflect the socio-political complexities of the Roman Empire. This volume, part of the proceedings from the 25th International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies (LIMES XXV), introduces innovative approaches to studying these frontiers, including feminist perspectives, digital methodologies, computational modeling, and archaeological heritage management. It also compares the Roman Limes with the Great Wall of China, offering a comprehensive exploration of frontier dynamics that bridges diverse scholarly interests. The congress, held in Nijmegen in 2022, brought together a global community of researchers to analyze these frontiers through interdisciplinary lenses, providing new insights into their role in shaping imperial spaces.
High-resolution isotopic data link settlement complexification to infant diets within the Roman Empire
A significant link between settlement complexity and infant breastfeeding duration has been identified within the Roman Empire, with urban centers like Pompeii and Thessaloniki showing adherence to medical guidelines of weaning infants by age two. This finding emerges from high-resolution Bayesian-modeled stable isotope measurements from incremental dentine of permanent first molars, revealing inter-site variability in breastfeeding durations ranging from 1.5 years to approximately 5 years. The study compiled isotopic data from multiple Roman sites, including new analyses from Pompeii and Ostia Via del Mare (AVM), suggesting that adherence to medical guidelines, support infrastructures, or financial strategies may have influenced these practices.
Soldiers and Society: The Army in Numidia
Recent studies have broadened the understanding of Roman frontier dynamics by examining the army's role as a 'social instrument' beyond its military function, particularly in Numidia. This approach reveals complex economic and social relationships between soldiers and local populations, contributing to political integration into the Roman Empire. Building on works like Elizabeth Fentress's Numidia and the Roman Army and Michel Janon's methodologies, these syntheses offer novel insights into frontier studies, addressing gaps left by earlier technical-military analyses. By deploying new research methods, they challenge traditional narratives and deepen our comprehension of how peripheral regions became part of the Empire.
Supplying the Roman Empire. Proceedings of the 25th International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies 4
The Roman Empire's frontiers, spanning over 6,000 km along rivers, mountain ranges, and artificial barriers, were dynamic zones of contact, exchange, coercion, and exclusion. These frontiers, central to the International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies (LIMES), offer a diverse array of topics for scholarly exploration. This volume, part of the proceedings from the 25th LIMES Congress held in Nijmegen in 2022, delves into various aspects of supply and provisioning within the empire, focusing on organic material finds, riverine and maritime supply systems, militarily controlled mining, building material procurement, agro-political schemes, water management, and military material culture. The collection aims to provide both generalists and specialists with coherent thematic collections, making complex topics more accessible.
A wall or a road? A remote sensing-based investigation of fortifications on Rome's eastern frontier
A remote sensing-based investigation challenges the long-standing notion that Rome's eastern frontier fortifications were primarily defensive structures. By analyzing declassified images from CORONA and HEXAGON spy satellites, researchers identified 396 previously unrecorded forts across the northern Fertile Crescent, significantly expanding our understanding of Roman military architecture in this region. This extensive distribution suggests that these fortifications served a dual purpose: not only as defensive barriers but also as key nodes facilitating the movement of people and goods through the Syrian steppe, thereby redefining their role in Rome's imperial strategy.
From Empire-wide integration to regional localization: A synthetic and quantitative study of heterogeneous amphora data in Roman Germania reveals centuries-long change in regional patterns of production and consumption
A groundbreaking analysis of amphorae data from Roman Germania reveals dynamic shifts in trade patterns over 550 years, transitioning from empire-wide integration to regional localization. The study, utilizing probabilistic aoristic methods, uncovers how connections with distant regions like the Eastern Mediterranean and Iberian Peninsula fluctuated over time, while local German producers increasingly competed with imported goods. This research provides a transparent, reproducible case study of market activity pulsation within the Roman economy, offering new insights into long-term economic changes along the empire's frontier.
Frontiers of the Roman Empire: Hadrian''s Wall
Hadrian's Wall, a monumental Roman frontier spanning 117 km with extensions and comprising stone walls, turf ramparts, towers, fortlets, and forts, stands as a testament to the strategic and defensive capabilities of the Roman Empire. This series of books provides an accessible summary of Hadrian's Wall while contextualizing it within the broader narrative of Roman frontiers, which stretch across 20 countries and encapsulate one of history's greatest ancient states. The wall, constructed under Emperor Hadrian to separate Romans from 'barbarians,' was a complex military installation that took years to build and remained in development until Hadrian's death in 138 AD. The publication combines historical insights with archaeological findings, offering both an informative guide for visitors and a comprehensive overview of the Roman frontier's significance.
Frontiers of the Roman Empire: The Danube Limes in Austria
The Danube Limes in Austria stands as one of the most extensive and well-preserved remnants of the Roman Empire's frontier system, stretching over 7,500 kilometers across 20 countries. This series of booklets not only educates visitors about the historical significance of these frontiers but also serves as a practical guide, highlighting Austria’s exceptional survival of military installations such as forts and towers, some reaching up to two stories high. These structures offer a tangible connection to Rome's lost might, with artifacts like inscriptions, sculptures, weapons, and pottery providing further insight into the lives of soldiers and civilians who inhabited these frontiers. The booklet aims to increase awareness and visitation of this remarkable heritage, blending historical narrative with archaeological detail.
Frontiers of the Roman Empire
Roman Imperial frontiers were not rigid boundaries but complex, overlapping zones shaped by political, military, judicial, and financial interactions. This study challenges the traditional linear model of frontiers, using case studies like Civilis' revolt on the Rhine (AD 69) and Dura-Europos to illustrate dynamic frontier relationships. It highlights regional variation in empire acquisition and governance, emphasizing trade's central role—particularly through Palmyra—as a driver of frontier dynamics. The research integrates archaeological evidence with theoretical analysis to redefine how Roman provinces were structured and how allied kingdoms interacted with the empire.
Frontiers of the Roman Empire: The Eastern Frontiers
Rome's eastern frontier, stretching from the Black Sea to the Red Sea, served as a critical bulwark against Parthia and later Sasanian Persia. This volume highlights the Levant region—modern Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, and Palestine—as Rome’s primary defensive zone, while also covering the annexed Nabataean kingdom (later Arabia) and the strategically significant but understudied Cappadocian frontier in Turkey. Though much of this remote frontier lies submerged beneath reservoirs, the volume includes a unique account by Arrian of the Caucasian forts along the Black Sea, offering rare archaeological insight into Rome’s least-explored eastern defenses. The study underscores the region's geopolitical and topographical challenges, while acknowledging gaps—such as the Cappadocian frontier—that warrant future investigation.
Hadrian's Wall and Border Studies: Problems and Prospects
Hadrian's Wall, a symbol of Roman frontier infrastructure, offers valuable insights when analyzed through the lens of Border Studies. This interdisciplinary approach reveals its significance beyond historical context, connecting it to modern debates and cultural representations. The study highlights that while Border Studies may sometimes misrepresent the Wall due to contextual disconnects, its innovative theories on frontiers and borderlands can significantly enhance Roman archaeology. By integrating detailed community studies with broader frontier theories, this research bridges gaps in Roman provincial archaeology, providing a more nuanced understanding of Hadrian's Wall and its role in the Roman Empire.
Migration and Ethnic Dynamics in the Lower Rhine Frontier Zone of the Expanding Roman Empire (60 BC–AD 20): A Historical-Anthropological Perspective
A substantial influx of immigrant groups from east of the Rhine occurred during the Roman Empire's expansion, contradicting historical models that suggested more homogeneous origins. This finding emerges from a pilot project analyzing the Batavian river delta using combined archaeological methods, revealing complex processes of migration, fusion, and fission among tribes reshaping power dynamics in the frontier zone. The study underscores how conflict-induced migrations contributed to the reordering of tribal maps around 60 BC–AD 20, offering new insights into Roman frontier dynamics.
The Northern Frontier
Excavations at the Roman fort of Vindolanda, spanning over forty years, have revealed significant insights into the management and dynamics of Rome's northern frontier in Britain. The study highlights a period of relative stability along the Stanegate, marked by controlled movement through fortified garrisons and often friendly interactions between Roman troops and local peoples. Notably, letters from Vindolanda provide detailed information about military units stationed there, including the Tungri and Batavi, during the late first and early second centuries. This research sheds light on Rome's strategic adjustments following its withdrawal from northern Scotland around 86–87 AD, coinciding with aggressive campaigns in Dacia under Emperor Trajan.
Food, farming and trade on the Danube frontier: plant remains from Roman Aelia Mursa (Osijek, Croatia)
Excavations at the Roman town of Aelia Mursa, near the Danube frontier in Croatia, have uncovered an extraordinary assemblage of food remains dating to the early 2nd century AD. The findings include a diverse range of economically significant plants such as barley, bread wheat, lentils, and broad beans, alongside fruits, nuts, herbs, and vegetables like carrots, garlic, figs, grapes, and olives. Notably, exotic foods including pepper, rice, and pomegranate were also identified, providing rare evidence of long-distance trade on the Roman frontier. The study analyzed plant remains from a series of pits, offering unprecedented insights into the dietary habits, agricultural practices, and trade networks of the Roman Empire's Danube region.
The Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site
The management and protection of the Frontiers of the Roman Empire World Heritage Site present significant challenges, particularly when integrating portable objects like inscriptions and artifacts that are exempt from World Heritage classification. This study highlights the complexities of preserving individual sites while safeguarding the entire site's integrity. It also offers a forward-looking vision for the sustainable future of this international heritage area. The research employs a comprehensive approach to address these issues, ensuring both academic rigor and practical applicability.
What Divides Us Also Connects Us: Roman Frontiers, World Heritage and Community
Roman Frontiers (Limes) serve as a unifying cultural heritage, transcending national boundaries and fostering global connections. This study highlights the potential of transnational World Heritage recognition for Roman Frontiers to address contemporary challenges like climate change and pandemics by promoting community engagement and local pride. The research builds on existing collaborations within the International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies, aiming to create a networked series of World Heritage properties that reflect the Empire's development, expansion, and trade dynamics. By leveraging shared cultural heritage, these frontiers offer a framework for societal resilience in the 21st century.
The Body in the Ditch: Alternative Funerary Practices on the Northern Frontier of the Roman Empire?
Disarticulated human remains of a male individual, recovered from a first-century fort ditch at Vindolanda on the Roman Empire's northwestern frontier, challenge traditional views of funerary practices. Ancient DNA analysis confirmed the skeletal remains' identity, while forensic taphonomic analysis suggested primary deposition in a waterlogged environment without formal burial. This discovery highlights the complexity and variability of Roman-era disposal practices, contradicting historical sources that imply more standardized rituals. The study underscores the need to reconsider how ancient societies managed their dead, particularly on empire frontiers.
Frontiers and Mobilities: The Frontiers of the Roman Empire and Europe
Roman frontiers, recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, offer valuable insights for contemporary Europe by serving as sites of encounter and transformation. This study bridges the fields of border studies and Roman Frontier Studies to explore how ancient frontiers can inform modern debates on integration and border dissolution. By analyzing the relationship between the Roman Frontiers initiative and the European Union's goals, it advocates for interdisciplinary collaboration to reflect on current challenges facing Europe. The research emphasizes frontiers as dynamic spaces where cultural exchange and transformation occurred, providing a lens through which to examine present-day border dynamics.
Frontiers of the Roman Empire
A comprehensive exploration of the Roman frontiers, known as 'limes' in German literature, reveals that these frontiers were not merely defined by military structures but also by complex social and cultural dynamics. The study emphasizes a shift from traditional military-focused interpretations to broader analyses that incorporate the experiences and identities of populations living along and beyond these frontiers. Spanning from the 1st to early 5th century, this research highlights the multifaceted nature of frontier heritage, moving away from material remains to encompass historical, social, and interpretive dimensions. It also addresses contemporary approaches to preserving and understanding this heritage in the 21st century.
Quod nunc Rubrum ad mare patescit: the mare Rubrum as a frontier of the Roman Empire
A re-evaluation of Tacitus' 'Annals' reveals that the Red Sea (mare Rubrum) was perceived as a new frontier of the Roman Empire following the annexation of the Nabataean kingdom, rather than a boundary for Roman Egypt. This insight challenges previous interpretations and underscores the significance of this expansion in Roman imperial strategy. The study employs close textual analysis to dissect Tacitus' allusive language, particularly the use of 'nunc,' which hints at recent territorial changes. By focusing on the southern Arabian frontier, the research provides a nuanced understanding of how Rome's imperial ambitions were communicated and perceived during this period.
Ex Oriente Ad Danubium; The Syrian Units on the Danube Frontier of the Roman Empire
Roman military strategy on the Danube frontier incorporated Syrian units, as revealed by historical and archaeological evidence. These units played a crucial role in securing the empire's northern border, blending Eastern tactical innovations with Roman organizational frameworks. The study analyzes their deployment, training, and cultural integration through textual sources, inscriptions, and material culture, offering new insights into the Roman army's adaptability and multicultural dynamics during the 2nd to 4th centuries CE.
Geophysical prospection of the frontiers of the Roman Empire in southern Germany, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Geophysical prospection, particularly magnetometry, successfully uncovered the precise location and structural details of a Roman fort at Oberhochstatt, previously elusive despite extensive searches. This non-destructive technique also refined the map of another fort at Theilenhofen, revealing its fortifications, water supply, troop levels, and confirming the presence of an underlying Roman vicus. The study demonstrates magnetometry's efficacy in advancing archaeological knowledge without excavation, crucial for preserving UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Roman Limes in southern Germany.
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