Why did I love this book?
David Mattingly is one of the world’s foremost experts on Roman imperialism and a clear-eyed writer with consistently fascinating perspectives. His book on Roman Britain is one of the few that considers the realities of life in colonised Britain and the human impact of Roman imperialism, from the earliest years of Roman invasions and resistance through the final days of Roman Britain four centuries later.
4 authors picked An Imperial Possession as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.
Part of the Penguin History of Britain series, An Imperial Possession is the first major narrative history of Roman Britain for a generation. David Mattingly draws on a wealth of new findings and knowledge to cut through the myths and misunderstandings that so commonly surround our beliefs about this period. From the rebellious chiefs and druids who led native British resistance, to the experiences of the Roman military leaders in this remote, dangerous outpost of Europe, this book explores the reality of life in occupied Britain within the context of the shifting fortunes of the Roman Empire.