| Abstract: |
Papers based on a conference held in Oxford. The editors point out that if 3rd century was a time of crisis, it was not without its achievements. H Chadwick (5-13) discusses the attitude to society of the church in the West at this time; R F J Jones (15-20) discussing cremation and inhumation finds new evidence supporting fashion (not religion) as the main reason for the change to inhumation in 3rd century. P Horne (21-6) presents data on 100+ Romano-Celtic temples to examine changes in preferences. R Reece (27-38) looks at villas, towns, and trade of an Empire instasis, while the economic effects of Roman frontier policy, with a ½ million strong army distorting the economy, are examined by A R Birley (39-53). The decline of samian ware manufacture is redated by A King (55-78) to the 220s-40s for Central and Eastern Gaul, with some centres carrying into 260s. A second paper by R Reece (79-88) summarizes current work on the production of 3rd century coinage and makes a strong plea for a more rigorous methodology in the study of coin hoards; unrest was not the only reason for their burial. Analytical tables relating to the circulation of coin AD 260-95 are provided by C E King (89-126) who points to regional differences, dislocations in supply etc. Jewellery design shows no 3rd century crisis (M Henig, 127-43), but fewer types of Roman mirrors were being made (G Lloyd-Morgan, 145-57); as to RB mosaics, D J Smith (159-65) sees the disappearance of competent mosaicists as due to socioeconomic reasons. There was less architectural patronage (T F C Blagg, 167-88) and there was a shift from public to private, from town to country commissioning. The importance of merchants has been underestimated, according to J F Drinkwater (215-33) in his study of 'money rents and food renders' in Gallic funerary reliefs. The fate of Gallo-Roman villages in late 3rd century is examined by E Wightman (235-43), while H Thoen (245-57) looks at the Belgian coastal plain and P Galliou (259-86) finds in W Gaul an expansion to 250 before the crisis took effect. The Aeduan area is taken by B Buckley (287-315) and the Lyon region by S Walker (315-42). There are also papers on Asia, Achaea, Africa, the Gordians, Central Italy, Malta, Illyria, Tarraconensis. The British regional studies follow: G Webster (343-51) finds urban prosperity in first half of 3rd century succeeded by some social dislocation in the second half. Helen Porter has studied environmental change (353-62) in which man-made effects must not be underestimated. For SE Britain H Sheldon (363-82) sees much recession of settlement in late 2nd and 3rd, with some renewal in later 3rd. Verulamium at this time wasflourishing, but more through the aristocracy than through trade (S S Frere, 383-92); on the northern frontier R F J Jones (393-414) sees some neglect (but not large scale evacuation) leading to social change which affected 4th century military developments. Recent evidence from Chester is reviewed by T J Strickland (415-44); H Mytum (445-9) thinks some Roman coin hoards in Ireland were the property of Irish returning from military service in Britain. Finally, M Millett issues (525-30) a warning about expecting archaeology to reflect history, even in times of crisis. |
