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British archaeologist and expert on Roman military diplomas From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Margaret Roxan FSA (1924–2003) was a British archaeologist and expert on Roman military diplomas.[1] Her major contribution to the discipline was three edited collections of newly-found diplomas that acquired a scholarly authority and place as the direct successor of Theodor Mommsen and Herbert Nesselhauf.[2][3] She also edited the diplomas for publication in The Roman Inscriptions of Britain.[1]
Although her first degree was awarded in Psychology from University College London in 1948, in 1960 she started a university extension course in archaeology. She earned a diploma with distinction from the Institute of Archaeology in 1967, and she gained her PhD some six years later.[1] Her thesis topic was on the auxiliary regiments of the Iberian peninsula.[2] After being awarded her doctorate she lectured at the London University extramural department and the Inner London Education Authority.[1]
She undertook her research for over thirty years with minimal help in kind from a number of institutions, including an Honorary Research Fellowship at the Institute of Archaeology and then at the Institute of Classical Studies in Senate House. Much of her work took place in a tiny room she was granted on the fourth floor of the Institute of Archaeology. Through her numerous publications she made sure the discovery of new military diplomas were made promptly available, travelling widely within Europe to do so, and making her expertise available in connection with the diplomas emerging from eastern Europe.[1][2]
Through her publications she illuminated the potential for Roman military diplomas as a source material and the significance of the information that could be gleaned from their study.[1][4] For example, one diploma, issued to a soldier in the army of Britain on 23 March 178, was found in Bulgaria. It was shown to Margaret in the 1990s, and she showed it was possible to clarify—and challenge—part of the account of the suppression of an invasion of Britain given by the Graeco-Roman historian Cassius Dio.[1] Her work was noted for its care, skill and rigor.[5]
Margaret Roxan was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1981, and was a corresponding member of the German Archaeological Institute. She was awarded an emeritus fellowship by the Leverhulme Trust in 1993, which held a conference in her honour in May 2002.[1]
Margaret Roxan (née Quantrill) was born on 21 January 1924 in Hackney, London.[1] In 1945, she married David Roxan, a journalist, with whom she had five children, and remained married to him until his death in 1999.[1][2] She died on 26 June 2003.[1]
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