‘Not Solely a Military Frontier, and Not Only a Line: the Lower Germanic Limes as Imperial Borderlands’ door Saskia Stevens, Gertjan Plets, Wouter Vos en Henk van Houtum

Titel: Not Solely a Military Frontier, and Not Only a Line: the Lower Germanic Limes as Imperial Borderlands

Auteurs: Saskia Stevens, Gertjan Plets, Wouter Vos en Henk van Houtum

Publicatiejaar: 2026

Publicatietype: artikel

Samenvatting

In this article we examine the dominant, militaristic interpretation of the Roman Limes, particularly within UNESCO World Heritage sites and national heritage narratives. Focusing on the Dutch context of the Lower Germanic Limes and comparing it with Germany and Britain, we trace how national research traditions, political agendas, and site materiality have shaped a narrow, one-dimensional view of the Limes as a military borderline. Drawing on concepts from Critical Heritage Studies and Border Studies, we advocate for a more inclusive, multi-dimensional interpretation using the concept of ‘Imperial Borderlands’. This framework reimagines the Limes as dynamic zones of interaction, emphasizing social, economic and cultural exchanges alongside military functions.