Yet so little is known about life and events on the short-lived Antonine Wall. Historians agree that emperor Antoninus Pius initiated the conquest of southern Scotland and the construction of the new northern wall because he wanted, or rather needed some kind of military achievement to cement his accession to the Principate, despite the fact that as Hadrian's successor, his rise to emperor was uncontested in the Senate and elsewhere. Under governor Agricola back in the 80s AD, the Romans had advanced into central Scotland and built a chain of forts and outposts. But emperor Domitian ordered a retreat back into northern England, relinquishing Agricola's hard-won Scottish conquests. As the land was already well known to the Romans, an advance back north was a relatively easy achievement. What historians don't know if the Roman reconquest of southern Scotland and the new wall construction were contested by the Caledonian tribes. The quick march back north from Hadrian's Wall probably took the northern tribes by surprise. The power of Rome was still at its apex in 142 A.D. Rome also likely had treaties with the Caledonian tribes directly north of Hadrian's Wall so probably there was little to no resistance. What is not known is what happened during the new northern wall construction and during the short time it was in commission. Documents were not written. Contemporary Roman scholars, historians, and politicians had virtually nothing to say during that short time. Modern historians therefore do not know beyond speculation. Knowing the warlike, obstinate character of the Caledonian, Scottish, and Pictish tribes, it is likely that some hostile action would be undertaken against the new wall. The only thing is that, baring any new archeological discovery, there is no documentation about life and events on the Antonine Wall. Modern scholars think most likely the costs and stresses of maintaining the new frontier so far north quickly outweighed any benefits. Just before he passed away, historians believe Antoninus Pius gave orders for the withdrawal to Hadrian's Wall. Subsequently history shows the evacuated southern Scotland was once again filled with Caledonian and likely Pictish tribes, not friendly to the Romans at Hadrian's Wall. Hadrian's Wall would be the constant target of bandit raids, incursions, and even large scale raids meant to breach the wall, in the next forty years until emperor Septimius Severus visited Britannia with six legions, intending to solve the Scottish Caledonian problem once and for all by invading all of Scotland.
My village is just north of Antonines Wall. Feels good to be from the Unknown.
I used to play on the wall in Falkirk
Yet so little is known about life and events on the short-lived Antonine Wall. Historians agree that emperor Antoninus Pius initiated the conquest of southern Scotland and the construction of the new northern wall because he wanted, or rather needed some kind of military achievement to cement his accession to the Principate, despite the fact that as Hadrian's successor, his rise to emperor was uncontested in the Senate and elsewhere.
Under governor Agricola back in the 80s AD, the Romans had advanced into central Scotland and built a chain of forts and outposts. But emperor Domitian ordered a retreat back into northern England, relinquishing Agricola's hard-won Scottish conquests.
As the land was already well known to the Romans, an advance back north was a relatively easy achievement.
What historians don't know if the Roman reconquest of southern Scotland and the new wall construction were contested by the Caledonian tribes. The quick march back north from Hadrian's Wall probably took the northern tribes by surprise. The power of Rome was still at its apex in 142 A.D. Rome also likely had treaties with the Caledonian tribes directly north of Hadrian's Wall so probably there was little to no resistance.
What is not known is what happened during the new northern wall construction and during the short time it was in commission. Documents were not written. Contemporary Roman scholars, historians, and politicians had virtually nothing to say during that short time. Modern historians therefore do not know beyond speculation. Knowing the warlike, obstinate character of the Caledonian, Scottish, and Pictish tribes, it is likely that some hostile action would be undertaken against the new wall. The only thing is that, baring any new archeological discovery, there is no documentation about life and events on the Antonine Wall.
Modern scholars think most likely the costs and stresses of maintaining the new frontier so far north quickly outweighed any benefits. Just before he passed away, historians believe Antoninus Pius gave orders for the withdrawal to Hadrian's Wall.
Subsequently history shows the evacuated southern Scotland was once again filled with Caledonian and likely Pictish tribes, not friendly to the Romans at Hadrian's Wall. Hadrian's Wall would be the constant target of bandit raids, incursions, and even large scale raids meant to breach the wall, in the next forty years until emperor Septimius Severus visited Britannia with six legions, intending to solve the Scottish Caledonian problem once and for all by invading all of Scotland.
hidden Roman fort in the Lake District not so far from the pike of Blisco is also kinda crzy... in the middle of nowhere..
For 10 years......
rome total war sound track:D
hearts of men