My aim in this article is to investigate the relationships between time-experience and imperialism in the Roman world. The archaeological exploration of past time-concepts has developed significantly over the last two or three decades, moving us beyond the old dichotomy of linear/abstract and cyclical/substantial times. However, there is much still to do, especially to link ideas about temporality with issues of agency and power. The Roman empire is a fruitful context in which to explore this connection, as there is sufficient evidence from a range of sources to illuminate the ways in which some time-experiences changed with Roman conquest of a region, while others persisted. Using insights derived from the work of pragmatist philosopher G.H. Mead, I argue that there is a fundamental linkage between temporality and agency, which takes on a particular significance in culture-contact situations, and I illustrate this with a detailed case study of the changing rhythms of rural life in Roman Britain.
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