Religion in Late Roman Britain: Forces of Change

Religion in Late Roman Britain explores the changes in religion over the fourth century; the historical background for these changes and the forces which contributed to them.Dorothy Watts examines the reasons for the decline of Christianity and the continuation of the pagan, Celtic cults in Britain. The author establishes a chronology for the rise and decline of Christianity, based on the available archaeological evidence, and she charts the fate of the pagan cults and temples in the fourth century. The author discusses the nature of Romano-British pagan religion and she analyses the controversial rite of decapitated burial in the light of some startling new archaeological evidence.

About the Author

Dr Dorothy Watts is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Classics and Ancient History, University of Queensland and is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. She is the author of Christians and Pagans in Roman Britain (1991).