Vote of thanks by Prof Jim Drife

Dr Gibbins studied philosophy in Cambridge and is now based in Sowerby, having retired as Director of Postgraduate Research at the University of Newcastle-on-Tyne. He has published many books on the history of philosophy and politics. He told us his talk would explore “who we are and who we were”, and he began by recommending the multi-volume classic, History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by his not-quite-namesake, Edward Gibbon. John said it is well worth reading because of its contemporary relevance, as Britain is still learning how to cope with decline after losing a great empire.

Roman society was remarkably well organised, but John acknowledged that it was a

patriarchy and that women, apart from a few in the upper echelons, were little more than slaves. Romans were more than patricians and plebeians. There was a large middle class, the “equestrians”, who could read and write and had social mobility. The system of justice was fair to all and was the same across the whole empire. Julius Caesar, he said, was a bad man who rode roughshod over the rules, and John likened him to Donald Trump.

Yorkshire has many Roman artefacts and sites which are yet to be fully excavated.

Beneath Aldborough is a city which could be England’s Pompeii. John recommended Paul Chrystal’s book on Roman York, and the Ordnance Survey map of Roman Britain. There are also collections from classical antiquity – Castle Howard has an altar from Delphi.

York was visited by three emperors besides Constantine because this was troublesome part of the frontier. The main tribe, the Brigantes, were very rebellious. The Ninth Legion was stationed in York and participated in the rebuilding of the fortress.

The Roman Empire lasted 800 years in Western Europe and another millennium in the

east. Why was it so successful? Because instead of subjugating “conquered” people, it

made friends with them. Anyone could become a Roman, and they did. Force was only necessary if people rebelled, as Boudicca did in 60AD, and the Jews in 70AD.

Not only was law constant across the empire, but so were the language and the

currency. Importantly, religion was polytheistic and all gods were tolerated. Each emperor could choose his religion, and Constantine happened to choose Christianity. Edward Gibbon suggested that this contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire, because Christianity was a pacifist religion which placed higher value on the individual than on the state.

What did the Romans do for Yorkshire? John answered, “Everything”. They gave us

philosophy, law, clean water and even a pan-European postal system, thanks to a network of well-made roads which still exist. When the Romans left, chaos ensued. But York’s walls protected it and a Roman lifestyle probably continued for many decades. A southern enclave of Roman soldiers may have given rise to the legend of King Arthur and the Round Table.

The talk stimulated many interesting questions.

Prof Drife proposed a vote of thanks to Dr Gibbins for a fascinating lecture which had contemporary relevance in post-Brexit Britain, and for letting us share his infectious sense of wonder at the Roman Empire’s remarkable achievements. The vote was carried unanimously with prolonged applause.

Dr John R Gibbins, BSc, MA, PhD, FBA, Wolfson College, Cambridge University and former Visiting Archivist, Wren Library

The Romans truly left their mark on us. Look around Yorkshire today and you will see this not only in the layout of our roads, towns, schools and hospitals, but in the way we live. This fascinating talk will explore the lasting legacy of Roman life across our law, language, religion, arts, knowledge and shared traditions. We will learn how four emperors visited York to reaffirm our cultural belonging and hear of new insights surrounding important local archaeological discoveries such as Isurium Brigantium and the Fortress of Eboracum.