Britannia Secunda facts for kids
Britannia Secunda or Britannia II was a Roman province in ancient Britain. Its name means "Second Britain" in Latin. It was one of several new provinces created in Britain around the end of the 3rd century AD. This happened during a big reorganization of the Roman Empire known as the Diocletian Reforms.
Britannia Secunda was likely formed after the Roman emperor Constantius Chlorus defeated a ruler named Allectus in AD 296. We know about it from a list of Roman provinces made around AD 312. The exact location and capital city of Britannia Secunda are still debated by historians. However, most experts today believe it was located in what is now Yorkshire and northern England. If this is true, its capital city would have been Eboracum (modern-day York).
Roman Britain's Provinces
After the Romans conquered Britain, the whole area was first managed as one large province. Its capital was first Camulodunum (Colchester) and then Londinium (London). Later, around the end of the 2nd century, Britain was split into two provinces: Britannia Superior (Upper Britain) and Britannia Inferior (Lower Britain). Londinium was the capital of Britannia Superior, and Eboracum (York) was the capital of Britannia Inferior.
Around AD 296, the Romans took back control of Britain after a period of rebellion. The entire Roman Empire was then reorganized. Britain became part of a larger administrative area called the "Diocese of the Britains." This diocese was then divided into several smaller provinces. These provinces included Prima, Secunda, Maxima Caesariensis, and possibly others like Flavia Caesariensis and Valentia.
The exact locations and capital cities of these new provinces are not fully known. However, we know that the governor of Britannia Secunda was of a lower rank than some other governors. This suggests its capital was probably not Londinium, which was a very important city. Records from a meeting of bishops in AD 314 suggest that a bishop from Eboracum (York) was present. This supports the idea that Eboracum was an important city, possibly the capital of Britannia Secunda.
Where Was Britannia Secunda?
For a long time, people thought Britannia Secunda was located in Wales. This idea came from a very influential book written in the 18th century, which was later found to be a fake. Since then, new discoveries have shown that western England was part of Prima. This means Britannia Secunda was likely not in Wales.
Today, most scholars agree that Britannia Secunda was in northern England. This would mean its capital was Eboracum (York). Another province, Valentia, was created later, around AD 369. Some historians believe Valentia was located near Hadrian's Wall around Carlisle. If so, this area might have been part of Britannia Secunda before Valentia was formed. Other ideas place Valentia between Hadrian's Wall and the Antonine Wall or in Wales.
Images for kids
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The traditional arrangement of the late Roman provinces after Camden, placing Secunda in Wales.
