The Roman Villas of Wales

Abstract

Roman villas are a primary component of the landscape of the Roman Empire. Despite their varying architectural features and appearances, these elite rural settlements are an important element in examining the extent and effect of Romanization within the provinces of the Roman Empire, and are a primary factor in considering the way in which Roman villas developed in the western frontier region of Roman Britain; an area known today as the country of Wales. This thesis will examine the establishment, development and evolution of Roman villas in Wales. Particular attention will be placed on the elements which led to the establishment of villas in this western frontier region of Roman Britain, including geography, climate, physical environment, the economy and the Roman military, while investigating how these domestic spaces came to be one of the most recognizable forms of Romanization within the region. This thesis will incorporate research from several academic disciplines, including history, archaeology, classical studies and art history, in order to illustrate the way in which Roman villas in Wales contribute to our understanding of the way identity, wealth and power came to be expressed in one particular region of the Roman world.