Nothing symbolises the might of imperial Rome like their roads. Expertly engineered and perfectly cambered, they were the arteries of the great empire through which merchants, armies and information flowed.

In this episode we will follow one of those lost roads back in time to the very beginning of the Roman occupation of Britain, in the company of the writer Christopher Hadley. He takes us back to 51 AD, a turning point in the invasion, when Caratacus, King of the Catuvellauni Tribe and leader of the British resistance, was defeated and capitulated to his Roman adversaries.

Christopher Hadley is a journalist and author. His acclaimed first book, Hollow Places, was a Times Book of the Year. The Road, A Story of Romans and Ways to the Past was published recently.

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Show notes

Scene One: Somewhere on the English/Welsh border - Caratacus’ last stand.

Scene Two: Somewhere in northern England - Cartumandua hands Caratacus over to the Romans.

Scene Three: Somewhere in Rome - Caratacus appears before the Emperor Claudius who grants him clemency.

Memento: A rare Caratacus coin.

People/Social

Presenter: Violet Moller

Guest: Christopher Hadley

Production: Maria Nolan

Podcast partner: Ace Cultural Tours

Theme music: ‘Love Token’ from the album ‘This Is Us’ By Slava and Leonard Grigoryan

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