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The Romans in Scotland and The Battle of Mons Graupius
New paperback edition—Explore the battle at the edge of the did the Romans defeat 50,000 warriors and if so, where?
In AD 77, Roman forces under Agricola marched into the northern reaches of Britain to pacify the Caledonian tribesman. For seven years, the Romans campaigned across what is now Scotland. In AD 83, they fought the final battle at Mons Graupius, where 10,000 Caledonians were slaughtered with only 360 Roman dead.
How much of this is true? The climax of the Agricola is the main source, a near contemporary account of the career of Gnaeus Julius Agricola, governor of Britannia in the reigns of the Emperors Vespasian, Titus and Domitian, written by his son-in-law Tacitus. This account of a steady advance into northern Britain and sudden withdrawal matched closely the evidence available on the ground, and for many years remained uncritically accepted. Archaeological investigations carried out recently at Roman sites in Scotland and northern England have, however, caused historians to cast a more sceptical eye over Tacitus’ account.
Author Simon Forder considers the fine print of the Agricola—together with the implications of Ptolemy's Geography—and triangulates these with the very latest archaeological finds to suggest a new narrative, including a new location for the battle itself. Mons Graupius has fascinated historians for centuries, not only because of the uncertainties but also because it marks the withdrawal of Rome from the for the Empire, it is the beginning of the end.
In AD 77, Roman forces under Agricola marched into the northern reaches of Britain to pacify the Caledonian tribesman. For seven years, the Romans campaigned across what is now Scotland. In AD 83, they fought the final battle at Mons Graupius, where 10,000 Caledonians were slaughtered with only 360 Roman dead.
How much of this is true? The climax of the Agricola is the main source, a near contemporary account of the career of Gnaeus Julius Agricola, governor of Britannia in the reigns of the Emperors Vespasian, Titus and Domitian, written by his son-in-law Tacitus. This account of a steady advance into northern Britain and sudden withdrawal matched closely the evidence available on the ground, and for many years remained uncritically accepted. Archaeological investigations carried out recently at Roman sites in Scotland and northern England have, however, caused historians to cast a more sceptical eye over Tacitus’ account.
Author Simon Forder considers the fine print of the Agricola—together with the implications of Ptolemy's Geography—and triangulates these with the very latest archaeological finds to suggest a new narrative, including a new location for the battle itself. Mons Graupius has fascinated historians for centuries, not only because of the uncertainties but also because it marks the withdrawal of Rome from the for the Empire, it is the beginning of the end.
288 pages, Paperback
Published May 15, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 13, 2020
The location for the Battle of Mons Graupius, fought c84CE between the Romans and Britons of Northern Britain, has exercised the minds of historians for centuries with many sites offered up for consideration. The latest authorial adventurer is Simon Forder, an expert on castles and fortifications. He takes the search in a new direction; dismissing some previously firmly held beliefs about the Roman campaigns; reinterpreting the literary and archaeological evidence; and positing a new site for the battle. But it is perhaps what he does not do that is most telling.
Forder examines in depth three main strands of evidence: the marching camps and forts (Rome’s footprints on the landscape); Tacitus’s text (the only one we have for Agricola’s campaigns); and the geographer Ptolemy’s map of Britain (produced in the mid-second century CE). His analysis of all three is useful, though Forder recognizes the problems each have regarding accuracy and interpretation. Once analysed, Forder brings his findings together to weave a new narrative of Agricola’s operations leading to the battle, and from there to his chosen, and somewhat surprising, battlefield (no spoilers!).
Forder’s work is an interesting and notable addition to the debate. He clears away some of the detritus that confuses the issue, especially when it comes the marching camp evidence. Forder’s conclusions, moreover, are lucid and well-argued though sometimes based on assumptions that are open to question. His circuitous method of finding his thesis points takes a bit of getting used to: Forder circles his evidence like a buzzard before swooping in to make his point. His publisher also did not help by producing dark, almost unintelligible maps. The biggest knock on Forder is his lack of engagement with other theorists, most notably Maxwell and Fraser who are missing from the rather brief bibliography. Nevertheless, Forder answers most of the questions surrounding Mons Graupius, and although I don’t agree with his location, I enjoyed reading this.
Forder examines in depth three main strands of evidence: the marching camps and forts (Rome’s footprints on the landscape); Tacitus’s text (the only one we have for Agricola’s campaigns); and the geographer Ptolemy’s map of Britain (produced in the mid-second century CE). His analysis of all three is useful, though Forder recognizes the problems each have regarding accuracy and interpretation. Once analysed, Forder brings his findings together to weave a new narrative of Agricola’s operations leading to the battle, and from there to his chosen, and somewhat surprising, battlefield (no spoilers!).
Forder’s work is an interesting and notable addition to the debate. He clears away some of the detritus that confuses the issue, especially when it comes the marching camp evidence. Forder’s conclusions, moreover, are lucid and well-argued though sometimes based on assumptions that are open to question. His circuitous method of finding his thesis points takes a bit of getting used to: Forder circles his evidence like a buzzard before swooping in to make his point. His publisher also did not help by producing dark, almost unintelligible maps. The biggest knock on Forder is his lack of engagement with other theorists, most notably Maxwell and Fraser who are missing from the rather brief bibliography. Nevertheless, Forder answers most of the questions surrounding Mons Graupius, and although I don’t agree with his location, I enjoyed reading this.
October 13, 2020
They created a desolation, and called it peace. The Romans came to Scotland to sort out the locals slaughtering some 10,000 of us at the Battle of Mons Graupius. Living in Stonehaven I have always believed that this battle occurred a few miles away at Raedykes . Simon Forder makes his case that this was not the location of the conflict in his new book.
The book is full of names Ptolemy , Agricola and Tacitus plus locations Marcus , Eassie and Keithlock being six of dozens. This made it more than a casual read for me.
Recent digs , aerial photography and carbon dating is mixed with reports from the AD 80s to provide a case for and against sites around Scotland . I am unsure of his conclusion - but I have not spent time nor energy in producing this interesting investigation.
Not a book for the casual reader - however if you are interested in Roman Scotland start here and work back - this is so much more accessible and interesting that the majority of tomes from between and after the 20th century World Wars.
The book is full of names Ptolemy , Agricola and Tacitus plus locations Marcus , Eassie and Keithlock being six of dozens. This made it more than a casual read for me.
Recent digs , aerial photography and carbon dating is mixed with reports from the AD 80s to provide a case for and against sites around Scotland . I am unsure of his conclusion - but I have not spent time nor energy in producing this interesting investigation.
Not a book for the casual reader - however if you are interested in Roman Scotland start here and work back - this is so much more accessible and interesting that the majority of tomes from between and after the 20th century World Wars.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews