The Role of the Non-Elite in Spreading Latin in Roman Britain

Abstract

Abstract This chapter examines the sociocultural environments in which the spread of Latin can be traced in Londinium during the first century ce, following the Claudian conquest. The first section explores what evidence we have for the use of Latin in pre-Roman Britain, as context for discussion of the extent to which the sociocultural contexts in which Latin spread may have changed after the conquest. The rest of the chapter then explores the social factors that encouraged the spread of Latin in Londinium. Focusing on the evidence of writing equipment (styluses, writing tablets, inkwells) as well as on inscriptions on a variety of media (writing tablets, pottery, oculists’ stamps, leather, wood), it evaluates alternatives to the hypothesis that military personnel acted as the main agents for the processes of Latinization. It explores the roles both of incoming traders from the Continent in introducing Latin literate practices and of Roman officialdom in encouraging the extension of Latin writing into new contexts. This is not to discount the potential impact of the military as one factor stimulating the adoption of Latin, given that it is likely that some of the activities of traders were inspired by the needs of supplying the army in Britain, but to refocus attention upon writing that was produced by civilians.