The interchange of cultures that occured at the border towns created economic and social influences, possibly religious ones as well. The limes, fortifications along the eastern frontier, for example, impacted economies within and without the empire's borders. Communities and trade routes adapted and changed to meet increasing resource requirements.[1, 2] Rome spread her influence beyond the boundaries, and in return, those lands influenced the provinces. Even as the Germans on the other side of the Rhine became more Romanized, so too did the Romans become a little more Germanized. Ideas and artifacts reached well inside the terrirory: large numbers of Roman objects have been found 60-240 miles (100-40 km) beyond the provincial borders.

Peter Wells points out in The Barbarians Speak that wasn't unusual for people living outside the Romen empire's boundaries to serve in a legion, usually an auxilliary, to gain status and wealth.[p. 239] Upon completion of service, the soldiers returned home along with their Roman equipment and influences. Grave goods beyond the frontier areas like Hedegard in Denmark and Siemeichow in Poland, for example, included swords of Roman manufacture. Other items found include Roman bronze and glass vessels, spurs, amror, and buckles. A few of these burials include spurs used for horseback riding.

Nantonos mentioned in an earlier post:

There is a clustering of Epona artefacts right up to the limes, but none at all outside the borders of the Roman empire at its widest extent. (T.Attius, this is why there are no Epona representations in Ireland - it was never part of the Roman Empire). This clustering at defended borders, plus the unit designations on Epona inscriptions such as altar dedications, tells us that the Roman military were including Epona among the deities to whom they gave worship, made vows, and so on. Dedications by military personell have also been foundon or near Hadrians wall (as has already been noted with the Maryport Epona), the Antonine wall (altar dedication at Auchendavy), the Danube bend, and other border areas.

Enough Epona artefacts have been found along the limes that the Roman boundary along the Rhine and Danube rivers is clearly visible in the distribution map.

Say, for example, a solder from Germania served in an auxilliary ala. Individual members of cavalry units represented all parts of the empire, with members from Germania Inferior especially represented.[3] The soldier acquires military training and weaponry, along with a taste for Roman culture and objects, possibly religion as well. After 25 years of service and earning Roman citizenship, this soldier returns home, to be buried and leave grave goods indicating his Roman service. Would this soldier also have taken back any new religious practices, like Epona worship?

Why don't we find any artifacts beyond the limes, or any where beyond the Roman border for that matter?

Further information

Background info on the Limes: The Limes: The Upper German-Rhaetian Border

Partial listing of the forts along the Limes, with links to modern names: Places and Monuments on the Limes Road (Portions in German)

Film: Voyage to the Past - The Roman Limes in the South of Germany. Currently only available in German. English DVD edition to be released in 2004.

The documentary film leads us into the region of the former „Limes of Raetia“ and takes us on a trip through history. The journey starts close to the town of Lorch, the beginning of the Limes of Raetia, and ends at the town of Kelheim, where the river Altmuehl reaches the Danube. Well known archaeologists and historians give interviews in the film on this topic. Re-constructions and scenes with actors make history come alive. The music in the film was provided by musicians of the region.

Sources

1. Wells, P. S. (1999). The Barbarians Speak : how the conquered peoples shaped Roman Europe. Princeton, N.J., Princeton University Press.
2. Woolf, G. (1998). Becoming Roman : the origins of provincial civilization in Gaul. Cambridge, U.K. ; New York, NY, USA, Cambridge University Press.
3. Dixon, K. R. and P. Southern (1992). Roman Cavalry : from the first to the third century AD. London, Batsford.