Septimius Severus in Scotland

The Northern Campaigns of the First Hammer of the Scots

by Simon Elliott

Imprint: Greenhill Books

208 Pages, 6 x 9 in, 50 black and white images

Paperback
9781784385804
October 2020
Out of print. Available in digital formats at the links below.

$22.95

Hardcover
9781784382049
April 2018
Out of print. Available in digital formats at the links below.

$34.95

Digital download
9781784382063
February 2018

$16.77

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Description
Authors
Praise

First book covering Severus’ Scottish campaigns, AD 208–210, providing a biographical and psychological portrait of Severus, who came to dominate the Roman world around the turn of the 2nd/3rd centuries AD, from his early life in North Africa to his last campaign.

Since 1975 much new archaeological evidence has come to light to illuminate the immense undertaking of Septimius Severus’ campaigns in Scotland, allowing for the first time the true story of this savage invasion to be told. In the early 3rd century Severus, the aging Roman emperor, launched an immense ‘shock and awe’ assault on Scotland that was so savage it resulted in eighty years of peace at Rome’s most troublesome border. The book shows how his force of 50,000 troops, supported by the fleet, hacked their way through the Maeatae around the former Antonine Wall and then pressed on into Caledonian territory up to the Moray Firth.

Severus was the first of the great reforming emperors of the Roman military, and his reforms are explained in the context of how he concentrated power around the imperial throne. There is also an in-depth look at the political, economic and social developments that occurred in the Province.

This book is aimed at all who have an interest in both military and Roman history. It will particularly appeal to those who are keen to learn more about the narrative of Rome’s military presence in Britain, and especially the great campaigns of which Severus’ assault on Scotland is the best example.

Dr Simon Elliott is an award-winning and best-selling archaeologist, historian and broadcaster. He has written numerous books on themes related to the classical world and military history, and frequently appears on broadcast media as a presenter and expert. Amongst others, his books published by Casemate Publishers include Ancient Greeks at War (2021), Old Testament Warriors (2021) and Romans at War (2020). He is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Kent, Trustee of the Council for British Archaeology, Ambassador for Museum of London Archaeology, President of the Society of Ancients, and Guide Lecturer for Andante Travels and Hidden History Travel.

"Elliott provides an excellent overview of the life of Septimius Severus and his campaign in Roman Britain. This study will spark conversation and, potentially, further research into this period of time and geographical location." ~The Journal of Military History

“Although Elliott’s treatment is at times repetitive, and one could wish for more detail on the actual campaigns, perhaps a brief survey of archaeological remains from the war, Septimius Severus in Scotland is a valuable read for anyone with an interest Roman history.” ~StrategyPage

He opens with a valuable introduction explaining terminology, sources, and usage. There follow chapters reviewing imperial institutions and political organization, the nature of the Roman armed forces in Septimius’s time, and the history of Roman Britain. ~The NYMAS Review

"...people are being given the chance to follow in the footsteps of the imperial army as it made its way to the lands of Scotland, with a guided tour by the historian who recently researched the story behind the invasion." ~Herald Scotland