The Cursus Publicus in Berkshire

The cursus publicus was the official transportation system along the Roman road network; its infrastructure encompasses archaeological features such as buildings for overnight accommodation (mansiones) roadside settlements (vici), and locations for the changing of animals en route (mutationes).� This paper was written to gain some insights on the impact of the Roman authorities on the people of the Berkshire region, an area which extends from Marlborough in the west to Heathrow in the East and from Abingdon in the north to Guildford in the south. The paper shows that the mansiones, vici and mutationes of the cursus publicus were first built by the Roman army soon after the construction of the Roman roads and that local communities were required to pay for and staff them.� It then shows how, in the 2nd century, the cursus publicus was largely rebuilt so it could be used by the Roman authorities to project power across the region and probably Britian as a whole.� In the years after AD 200, the cursus publicus under-went significant change which seems to have reflected how the power of the local Romano-British elite grew to match the power of the Roman authorities.� Finally, the paper shows that, throughout its history, the cursus publicus was a major employer paid for from local taxes.�