What was life really like in Roman Britain? In this short history Professor Scullard combines classical scholarship with important archaeological discoveries to provide some vivid answers: a solider on Hadrian's Wall writes home for warm underwear; a York wine importer makes his connection in Bordeaux; a London forger hides his coin molds in a crevice in the wall; an optician scribbles prescriptions for sore eyes; curses and blessings fly; bets are placed and vows fulfilled. On another level, the native religions interpenetrate with their imported Roman equivalents; exotic oriental sects flourish; the imperial cult gradually becomes a symbol of status rather than of slavery; Christianity and paganism share the same wall space in country villas. Most importantly, perhaps, there is the establishment of the city as a context for the development of individual life. For this was Rome's gift, and it provided the focus for Britain's continuing national story. Book jacket.