What changes coincided with Roman rule on the lower reaches of the Rhine What aspects of life remained untouched by Romanization What continuities and discontinuities can be identified in politics society the economy and culture of Germania Inferior Historical transitions such as the early and final phase of Roman rule are especially illuminating phenomena for the historical sciences As small as Germania Inferior was the province did not develop uniformly Differences between urban and rural environments between northern and southern regions and between political social economic and cultural aspects of life have been found The Dutch and German archaeologists and experts on ancient history who have contributed to this volume offer discriminating answers to the question of continuity