List of All Posts
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323 Years of Military Attacks
The Roman period in Scotland was a series of military attacks and brief occupation to reduce attacks in Roman England. No towns were built, and the occupation was to protect the frontier. As in Germany and North Africa, the Romans built barriers and watchtowers to protect and control who entered the empire. A series of…
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Roman coin find in Orkney thrills archaeologists – BBC News
It is thought the copper alloy coin found during a dig in Orkney dates from the mid 4th Century AD. The coin depicts a bust of a person – possibly the emperor – on its obverse and a standing figure with an image of goddess Victoria on the reverse. It was made in Trier between…
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Digital Atlas Roman and Medieval Civilisations
The Digital Atlas of Roman and Medieval Civilizations is an excellent site that lets you search for towns, villas mines, aqueducts or whatever you want. Click “layers” to select your options.
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Romans in Scotland Video (Historic Scotland)
This hour-long presentation shows the different types of forts, walls and Roman camps throughout Scotland.
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Vindolanda Video With Acted Roman Soldiers
This acted video outlines the history of the Romans in Britain including the battle of Mons Graupius and focuses on some of the letters ordinary Romans sent from Hadrian’s wall found at Vindolanda
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Roman Camps in Scotland
This Google Map shows the camps throughout Scotland as obtained from the Canmore database Roman Camps Map ( open in Google maps)
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Scotland: The Roman Presence 2012 – 70 Page Report
The document below has the 70-page report with maps on the Roman presence in Scotland. It is published by the Scottish Archaeological Research Framework (ScARF) Scotland: The Roman Presence
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Roman Road, Nine Mile Burn (C) Richard Webb :: Geograph Britain and Ireland
Source: Roman Road, Nine Mile Burn (C) Richard Webb :: Geograph Britain and Ireland
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ROMAN FORTS AND FORTLETS IN SCOTLAND
The Roman Britain Organisation – Roman Forts and Fortlets in Scotland Source: ROMAN FORTS AND FORTLETS IN SCOTLAND
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Roman Camps in Scotland
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Romano Britain Website
An excellent site detailing life in Roman Britain https://www.romanobritain.org
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Hadrian’s Wall graffiti artists were very naughty boys | The Times
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hadrian-s-wall-graffiti-artists-were-very-naughty-boys-6vggv282z?shareToken=adf579ec9e630dc3a2e29b3cc2a3b28a
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Roman Gask Ridge Watchtowers
The Gask Ridge watchtower frontier system is the earliest Roman land frontier in the world, built in the late 70s or early 80s AD, 40 years before Hadrian’s Wall and 60 years before the Antonine Wall. It is also older than the Roman frontier Limes system in Germany. The watchtowers were there to observe and…
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New evidence uncovered for Roman conquest of Scotland – HeritageDaily – Archaeology News
A Roman Marching Camp is found in Ayr with 26 ovens. Radiocarbon dating gives dates of AD 77-86 and AD 90, consistent with Agricola’s invasion. See article below. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2019/05/new-evidence-uncovered-for-roman-conquest-of-scotland/123820 Reference Ayr, Craigie House, Playing Field (Canmore)
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Where did the army of Hadrian’s Wall come from? The origin of the Wall units
Learn about the different types of auxiliary unit which made up a garrison on Hadrian’s Wall. Source: Where did the army of Hadrian’s Wall come from? The origin of the Wall units
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FACT FILE: Where were the soldiers from? | The Vindolanda Trust
The soldiers serving at Vindolanda and Magna were from all over the empire. Find out more here. Source: FACT FILE: Where were the soldiers from? | The Vindolanda Trust
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Ten top Roman Scotland sites – Scottish archaeology – History Scotland
https://www.historyscotland.com/articles/scottish-archaeology/ten-top-roman-scotland-sites (Now behind paywall)
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Shaping Roman Scotland | MalagaBay
Roman forts reflect the geological changes that have shaped Scotland and Scottish history. Source: Shaping Roman Scotland | MalagaBay
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Cramond Roman Fort
Cramond is an amazing fort which had Cramond at the mouth of the river Almond is the location of the 2nd oldest dwelling in Scotland and so has been inhabited for over 10,000 years. The Romans built a fort here during the Antonine Wall period in 142 AD There was a second round of building…
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Castle Greig Roman fort – Forestry and Land Scotland
Forestry and Land Scotland is the Scottish Government agency responsible for managing Scotland’s national forests and land. Source: Castle Greig Roman fort – Forestry and Land Scotland
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8 Roman Auxilliary Units That Served on the Antonine Wall | History Hit
In the second century AD these units served Source: 8 Roman Auxilliary Units That Served on the Antonine Wall | History Hit
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Scottish stonemasons rewrite Roman history of Antonine Wall | Scotland | The Sunday Times
Scenes revising the history of the Roman occupation of Scotland are being carved for a celebration of the ancient Antonine Wall.They highlight a hidden truth behind the Empire’s most north-westerly frontier. Source: Scottish stonemasons rewrite Roman history of Antonine Wall | Scotland | The Sunday Times
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Rare Roman altar stones uncovered in Musselburgh – BBC News
Two rare, carved altar stones found in East Lothian could shed new light about the Roman period in Scotland, it is claimed. Source: Rare Roman altar stones uncovered in Musselburgh – BBC News The official technical report is Gooder, J. (2010). Lewisvale Park, Musselburgh: Monitored Topsoil Strip and Excavation. AOC Archaeology Ltd. https://doi.org/10.5284/1019611.
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The Romans and The Antonine Wall of Scotland – John Richardson – Google Books
You can read a chapter on this book for free from Google Books below. The Romans and The Antonine Wall of Scotland – John Richardson – Google Books or buy from Amazon
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Melrose – Trimontium Museum
This is my favourite museum refurbished and re-opened in 2022 and there is a really good Facebook page called The Trimontium Trust. Near to the museum, you can explore the fort and see where the amphitheatre was. Staff really friendly. They have a really good YouTube channel called Trimontium Trust. Source: Discover Roman Scotland – Trimontium…
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Romans in Scotland – Part 4, on Live At Five – YouTube
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Romans in Scotland – Part 5, on Live At Five – YouTube
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When the Romans tried to conquer Moray
https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/when-the-romans-tried-to-conquer-moray-178626/
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Visit Hadrian’s Wall | Official visitor information
Official visitor information Source: Visit Hadrian’s Wall | Official visitor information
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Cramond lioness
In 1997, ferryman Robert Graham unearthed a sandstone sculpture from the mud of the River Almond, Cramond, Edinburgh. It turned out to be one of the most important Roman finds in decades. Cramond Lioness by National Museums Scotland on Sketchfab Source: Cramond lioness
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Antonine Wall | Frontiers of the Roman Empire
Source: Antonine Wall | Frontiers of the Roman Empire
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Traprain law dish
New research and digital technology has allowed us to recreate a huge Roman dish from the Traprain Law hoard. Source: Traprain law dish
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Dere Street Roman Road | Historic Environment Scotland | HES
Walk in the footsteps of Roman soldiers on the empire’s main road through the south of Scotland. Source: Dere Street Roman Road | Historic Environment Scotland | HES
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Romans in Scotland – Part 1, on Live At Five – YouTube
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Romans in Scotland – Part 2, on Live At Five – YouTube
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Romans in Scotland – Part 3, on Live At Five – YouTube
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Books to Buy on the Romans in Scotland
These are the books I refer to when researching Romans in Scotland. Many of them are heavy reading as they are written by professionals for an academic audience. There are a number of Free Books on the Romans in Scotland to download and read. Books to buy (click on the image to get details on…
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(6) The Trimontium Trust & Museum | Facebook
My favourite site on the Romans in Scotland full of interesting stuff Source: (6) The Trimontium Trust & Museum | Facebook
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Women on the Antonine Wall – YouTube
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Bearsden: A Roman Fort on the Antonine Wall | Digital Books
You can download the 399-page book for free from the link below. It’s not a light read but very comprehensive. Source: Bearsden: A Roman Fort on the Antonine Wall | Digital Books
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BBC – Scotland’s History – The Antonine Wall
BBC Scotland’s History article about the Antonine Wall Source: BBC – Scotland’s History – The Antonine Wall
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Glasgow – The Hunterian – The Antonine Wall
One of the top museums in Scotland for Roman artefacts with many from the Antonine Wall. Source: University of Glasgow – The Hunterian – Collections – Permanent Displays – The Antonine Wall
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Antonine Wall Bridgeness Commemorative Stone
Commemorative inscription on a sandstone slab, recording the Roman army’s dedication of the building work on the easternmost part of the Antonine Wall to their Emperor, from Bridgeness, West Lothian, 142 – 143 AD “For the Emperor Caesar Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Augustus Pius, father of his country, the Second Legion Augusta built (this work)…
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RIB 2139. Distance slab of the Second Legion Augusta | Roman Inscriptions of Britain
For the Emperor Caesar Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Augustus Pius, father of his country, the Second Legion Augusta built (this work) for a distance of 4,652 paces. Source: RIB 2139. Distance slab of the Second Legion Augusta | Roman Inscriptions of Britain
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Home | Roman Inscriptions of Britain
Source: Home | Roman Inscriptions of Britain
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Roamin’ with the Romans | Historic Environment Scotland | HES
How would you like to virtually ‘handle’ the past? Use our digital models to help you immerse yourself in day-to-day life along the Roman frontier. Source: Roamin’ with the Romans | Historic Environment Scotland | HES
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File:Antonine.Wall.Roman.forts.jpg – Wikimedia Commons
Source: File:Antonine.Wall.Roman.forts.jpg – Wikimedia Commons
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Colouring in Roman Sculptures from University of Glasgow on Vimeo
Excellent video by Dr Louisa Campbell of Glasgow University on pigmentation found on Roman statues and showing original colours.
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The Antonine Wall – Rome’s Final Frontier from University of Glasgow on Vimeo
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Caligula – as the statue looked in Roman times
Roman statues were not the white we see today but were painted. This recreated bust of Caligula uses the pigments found by scientific analysis. Gaius Iulius Caesar Germanicus; Antium (Anzio), 31 VIII 12 – Roma, 24 I 41 AD The original portrait from the Copenhagen Carlsberg Glyptotek and the proposed coloured recostruction Vatican Museums 2004/2005…
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Roman Bas Reliefs in Original Colour
A bas relief was commissioned by the Roman Senate in 13 BC in honour of the triumphs of Emperor Augustus and the above shows an interpreation of the original colours. The bas-relief can be seen in Rome at the Museo dell’Ara Pacis or online at https://www.arapacis.it/en/node/1008725
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Watch “What Did Ancient Rome Look Like? (Cinematic Animation)” on YouTube
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Gnaeus Julius Agricola 78 AD
Agricola was born in the south of France and educated in Marseille. He was made governer of Britain in 77. He conquered Wales and northern England and in 78 invaded Scotland. In the map below showing his campaign Eburacum is the Roman name for York and Inchtuthil is the biggest Roman legionary fort in Scotland…
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BBC Two – Scotland: Rome’s Final Frontier, Inchtuthil – animation
This legionary fortress was the northern advance HQ for the force led into Scotland. Source: BBC Two – Scotland: Rome’s Final Frontier, Inchtuthil – animation
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Inchtuthil
The Legionary Fortress at Inchtuthil was built by founded by Agricola soon after AD 83 and systematically demolished soon after AD 86. The defences comprise a single ditch, 20′ wide by 6 1/2′ deep, and a turf rampart, now 13′ wide but cut back to receive a stone wall 5′ thick. The wall encloses an…
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Black Hill Camp
Flavian period temporary camp. Emperor Septimius Severus and his son Caracalla led an army of over 30,000 men north of Hadrian’s wall to conquer the Caledonian tribes. It was the largest army ever to invade Scotland and this is one of their camps. Source: Ardoch | Canmore
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Pastmap – Rich Interactive mapping
Pastmap is an interactive resource showing exactly what is available pulling in data from various sources. You have to zoom into the area of interest to see the detail as above.
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THE ROMAN ROAD EAST OF CASTLEDYKES, LANARKSHIRE on JSTOR
The main point of interest from this study is the fact that there are two Roman roads – an older less well engineered original and then a newer road on top. This might reflect the fact that there were 3 military campaigns in Scotland over the 300 years and the need for quality roads. The…
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How to Cook Like a Roman: 8 Steps (with Pictures) – wikiHow
Source: How to Cook Like a Roman: 8 Steps (with Pictures) – wikiHow
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Food of the Romans
The variety of food eaten by the Romans is shown by analysis of the latrines and rubbish dumps as well as the cook books that survive. Many foods were introduced to Britain and recent DNA analysis even shows the British Apple came from North Western China through Roman invasion. The following foods were introduced and…
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Trade and Roman Influence
The Roman military occupation of Scotland required interaction with local people. No Roman town was ever established in Scotland and trade was on a basis of supporting the occupation army. One Roman technique used to keep the peace was to buy off local chieftains with goods and status. A detailed study of Scottish settlements gives…
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Roman Food in Britain
Many foods were introduced by the Romans to Britain. The type of food differed depending on whether it was eaten by the wealthy, poor or army in Roman Britain. Roman food found at the military post in Bearsden included the following foods introduced to Britain by the Romans. Wild plants eaten at Bearsden include wild…
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Roman Cookware
The Romans introduced many food stuffs and cookware to Scotland that had previously been unknown. Samian ware were pottery bowls made in France T
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The Batavians (Dutch)
The Batavians lived on the river Rhine in what is now the Netherlands and the Romans recruited many cohorts (500 soldiers) of troops from this tribe. They were tall with red hair, renowned for horsemanship and the ability to cross rivers in perfect formation and lead in amphibious operations without ships. Eight cohorts of Batavians…
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Bearsden: the rediscovery and excavation of a Roman fort – The Archaeopress Blog
David Breeze provides an introduction and detailed context for his new book ‘Bearsden: The Story of a Roman Fort’ Source: Bearsden: the rediscovery and excavation of a Roman fort – The Archaeopress Blog
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How did the Romans go to the toilet? – KS2 History – BBC Bitesize
The Romans had communal toilet spaces, sometimes shared by 30 people. Source: How did the Romans go to the toilet? – KS2 History – BBC Bitesize
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When Syrians, Algerians and Iraqis patrolled Hadrian’s Wall | Books | The Guardian
Charlotte Higgins: Britain’s history of Middle Eastern immigrants may have been forgotten, but it dates back to Roman times Source: When Syrians, Algerians and Iraqis patrolled Hadrian’s Wall | Books | The Guardian
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8 Roman Auxilliary Units That Served on the Antonine Wall | History Hit
Syrian archers, Bulgarian cavalry, Belgium and Netherlands infantry, French and Spanish all served on the Antonine wall. Source: 8 Roman Auxilliary Units That Served on the Antonine Wall | History Hit
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When Was the Antonine Wall Built and How Did the Romans Maintain It? | History Hit
Source: When Was the Antonine Wall Built and How Did the Romans Maintain It? | History Hit
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The Tungrians – Belgium
The Tungrians were from modern-day Belgium. and served as an auxiliary unit from Agricola’s time. Location in Scotland What Castlecary Fort, Antonine Wall The First Cohort of Tungrians helped build Castlecary Fort around AD 141. Cramond Fort, near Edinburgh The First Cohort of Tungrians was stationed at Cramond from AD 142; the site also says…
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Bodyguards, corpses, and cults – Current Archaeology
Everyday life in the Roman military community at Inveresk Rome’s northern frontier could be a cosmopolitan place, with forts attracting bustling civilian settlements, visiting VIPs, and exotic religions. Excavations at Inveresk have teased out details of life at this tantalising site, as Fraser Hunter reveals. Recent discoveries at Inveresk are casting vivid light on the…
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FACT FILE: Roman Religion | The Vindolanda Trust
Religion was important to the Romans at Vindolanda. Find out more below. Source: FACT FILE: Roman Religion | The Vindolanda Trust
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Tab.Vindol. 343. Ink writing tablet | Roman Inscriptions of Britain
“Greet Spectatus and … and Firmus” – letter from Vindolanda about doing business. For a moment I thought it was Kirk Douglas Source: Tab.Vindol. 343. Ink writing tablet | Roman Inscriptions of Britain
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Roman Names
Learn how Romans named themselves Source: Untitled Document
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Watch “Caratacus & The Roman Invasion of Britain” on YouTube
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Ancient Chinese Historian Describes The Roman Empire
References An Ancient Military Contact between Romans and Chinese The American Journal of Philology, Vol. 62, No. 3 (1941), pp. 322-330 (9 pages)
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I’ve been on the Pilgrimage! – Current Archaeology
WallQuest community project – lots of good info on 2019 developments on Hadrians Wall. Source: I’ve been on the Pilgrimage! – Current Archaeology
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Arthur’s O’on – Falkirk Local History Society
The building is unique. It was definitely a temple, since a bronze finger from the cult statue was found in a crevice (the figure might have stood on the pedestal mentioned), and was too far from a fort or road to have been a bath or mausoleum. Ox horns, perhaps sacrificial, were found nearby.…
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Roman Fort – Ancient History Encyclopedia
Description of a Roman Fort. In Wallsend a fort had 480 legionaries and 120 cavalry which gives you an idea of the size. Source: Roman Fort – Ancient History Encyclopedia
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Ancient Roman Names | Latin Language Blog
Back in ancient Roman times, most male citizens were named in three parts or the tria nomina. The praenomen is what we call the first name. In Latin, it Source: Ancient Roman Names | Latin Language Blog
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BBC Two – Scotland: Rome’s Final Frontier, Inchtuthil – animation
Inchtuthil animation showing the size of the fortress Source: BBC Two – Scotland: Rome’s Final Frontier, Inchtuthil – animation
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BBC Two – Scotland: Rome’s Final Frontier, Inveresk – animation
The high ground of the River Esk offered a natural site for the fort the Romans built here Source: BBC Two – Scotland: Rome’s Final Frontier, Inveresk – animation
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BBC Two – Scotland: Rome’s Final Frontier, The siege at Burnswark
Burnswark Source: BBC Two – Scotland: Rome’s Final Frontier, The siege at Burnswark
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(39) The Antonine Wall, Scotland. Full tour of the Roman Wall. – YouTube
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Gask Frontier
In 1845 the minister of Gask in Perthshire wrote that…(click link below) Source: Gask Frontier
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Ardoch
For other elements of Ardoch, Roman Military Complex, see: References The image “Ardoch” by spodzone is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
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Fendoch
Source: Fendoch
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Inchtuthil
Inchtuthil Source: Inchtuthil
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Carpow
Source: Carpow Carpow was a large fortress, covering 11 ha (27.5 acres) on the banks of the Tay near Abernethy. It was built to house between 2,000 and 3,000 men. Two legions that served here, or were at least involved in the building of the fort, were the Sixth Victrix and the Second Augusta. They…
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Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) | Historic England
Lidar is capable of measuring the ground surface with a very high degree of accuracy enabling the recognition and recording of hard to detect features Source: Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) | Historic England
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The Roman Army
A legion was 5000 to 6000 men. It was divided into 10 cohorts of around 500 men. Each cohort was divided into centuries 100 strong. In the first century AD Rome had 30 legions made up of citizen soldiers. It is not clear how many auxiliary forces were used but they were structured as below…
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The Legions that invaded in 43AD
In 43 AD the Romans invaded Britain with an occupation army. Julius Caesar had invaded in 55 and 54 BC but that was an expedition rather than a conquering force. In the year 43 Claudius was emperor and he sent four legions from their port in Boulogne to land in the south of Britain. The…
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Watch “When Septimius Severus Invaded Scotland”
https://youtu.be/A_xYtZNPUfk
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The Hunterian – The Antonine Wall
This is an excellent museum with lots of artefacts from the Antonine Wall. Source: University of Glasgow – The Hunterian – Collections – Permanent Displays – The Antonine Wall
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Arbeia South Shields Roman Fort
Source: Arbeia South Shields Roman Fort
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Segedunum Roman Fort – Newcastle
Where Roman’s great frontier begins at the eastern end of Hadrian’s Wall. Well-rated museum. Source: Segedunum Roman Fort
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DISCOVERING THE ANTONINE WALL DISTANCE STONES
READING THE WRITING ON THE WALL: DISCOVERING NEW DIMENSIONS TO THE ANTONINE WALL DISTANCE STONES by Louisa Campbell University of Glasgow Source: READING THE WRITING ON THE WALL: DISCOVERING NEW DIMENSIONS TO THE ANTONINE WALL DISTANCE STONES | Campbell | JOURNAL OF ANCIENT HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY
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Watch “Roman legionaries build fortress wall” on YouTube
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Flavian Dynasty Hair and Make-up
In the Antonine Period AD 120 to 140 fashions changed and this portrait of a woman in Egypt shows the hairstyle used at that time.
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Unique Christian Artefact Uncovered at Vindolanda | The Vindolanda Trust
A recently uncovered artefact at Vindolanda sheds a new light on the Dark Ages of Britain. Hidden in the remains of a 6th century Christian church, inside the previously occupied Roman Fort, were the fragmentary remains of a lead vessel, lightly etched with symbols of early Christian iconography. Source: Unique Christian Artefact Uncovered at Vindolanda…
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Arbeia South Shields Roman Fort
Experience life on the edge of the Roman Empire Source: Arbeia South Shields Roman Fort