SEPT. 20 -- THE ROMAN ARMY AND THE FRONTIER

Maps:

The Roman world in 300 AD                     In 400 AD

How the Romans saw it:  (from the Peutinger Map)

Traditional view:  Roman frontier as wall between civilization and barbarism

(Hadrian's Wall, Britain)

The city walls of Rome, built by Aurelian in 270 AD:

The greatest threat to the security of the Roman empire:  the Roman army

Roman officer's helmet:

Insignia of the imperial arms factories, from the Notitia Dignitatum:

Siege warfare:  Barbarians can't compete

A tough emperor for a tough frontier:  Valentinian I (364-375)

Getting in touch with your inner barbarian:  coin of Valentinian, showing the emperor dragging a captive by the hair:

A common "frontier" culture:  can you really tell which artifacts are "Roman" and which are "barbarian"?

How to tell the difference:

Rome's worst disaster:  Adrianople 378