72 BRITISH AND ROMANO-BRITISH COINS. 



Found near the S.W.R. Station in Dorchester, together with a 

 first-brass of Titus showing Domitilla joining the hands of 

 Vespasian and Titus. 



After this reign it is believed that the mints in Britain ceased 

 to work, or at all events to issue mint-marked coins, with the 

 exception of a temporary revival under the usurper Magnus 

 Maximus (383-7). Some coins of this Emperor bearing the 

 letters AVG are now attributed to London, which at that date 

 (teste Marcellinus) was known as Augusta. As yet no coins of 

 Magnus bearing that mark appear to have been found locally. 



The suppression of the mint of Londinium Augusta is 

 significant of greater changes that were soon to follow. In truth 

 the time had come \vhen enemies were closing in upon the 

 Roman world, Avhen the pulse of life from Rome grew feeble and 

 her grip relaxed. The final scenes are briefly mentioned by the 

 historians ; Zosimus, almost a contemporary writer, says that in 

 410 the Emperor Honorius, "having written letters to the cities 



in Britain urging them to look to their own safety 



indulged in all indolence." The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle tells us 

 that in 409 Rome ceased to rule in Britain, and that in 418 the 

 Imperial treasure was removed, some being buried in the earth. 

 Bede in his Eccl : Hist : adds that in 416 the troops which had 

 been sent to help the islanders said farewell and did not return. 



From this time onward it would appear that the Romanized 

 Britons and the colonists of Roman birth ceased to be under 

 the protection of the legions, and were left to withstand as best 

 they could the Saxon deluge. 



