Roman Britain was the period when the island of Great Britain was controlled by the Roman Empire between AD 43 and about 410. The Romans referred to their territory as Britannia, and it eventually consisted of all of the island. Prior to the Roman invasion, Iron Age Britain already had cultural and economic links with Continental Europe, but the invaders introduced new developments in agriculture, urbanisation, industry and architecture, leaving a legacy that is still apparent today. Historical records beyond the initial invasion are sparse, although many Roman historians mention Britannia in passing, and the names of many of its governors are known. Most knowledge of Roman Britain stems from archaeological investigations and especially epigraphic evidence.