Roman Germania? What Germania?

Abstract

This chapter presents some general remarks about Roman Germany. The English term ‘Roman Germany’ refers to both the two Roman provinces of Germania (respectively Inferior and Superior) and to the regions of modern Germany that were Romanized, i.e. the two provinces of Roman Germania, Raetia, and a small part of Noricum. When considered from the perspective of the Roman administrative organization, Roman Germany is not confined to the territory of modern Germany: it extends over a significant part of modern France. The discussions include the rhythms of economic development in the provinces of Germania; the great strides made by German archaeology in recent years; and the position of the free Germanic world in its relations with the Empire.