The great historic city of York owes its origins to the Roman army which built a fortress here on the banks of the River Ouse in AD 71. By the early third century York had also became the site of a major urban center and the capital of the northern half of Britain when what had been a single Roman province was divided into two. York's importance is reflected in the fact that two Roman emperors died in the city: Septimius Severus in the year 211, and Constantius I in 306, his son Constantine was then acclaimed emperor here by his father's troops.

Roman York tells the story of the fortress and town from their foundation until the early fifth century when Britain ceased to be part of the Roman Empire. Particular emphasis is placed on the results of recent excavations and research which have added great deal to our knowledge and understanding of the people who lived in a place the Romans knew as Eboracum.