More thoughts on why the Romans failed to conquer Scotland

Abstract

Although the Flavian withdrawal from Scotland was largely caused by the withdrawal of Legio II Adiutrix and other units, other factors must have seriously exacerbated the effects of these force reductions, making withdrawal more inevitable and later re-occupation less vital. In particular, the relatively low state of native political development must have made the area both more difficult to govern and less of a threat if relinquished.

Roman Frontiers and Landscapes of Occupation: Road Building and Landscape Change in the Hadrianic-Antonine Frontier Zone

“…AUTHOR ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT: doi.org/10.1080MANUSCRIPT: doi.org/10. /14614103.2021 Introduction Tacitus lamented that Scotland was "conquered then immediately thrown away" (Woolliscroft, 2000). However, the legacy of the Roman military presence can be viewed through the construction of a large number of forts, garrisons, and marching camps, to service and protect the army and fleet east-west along the Tyne-Solway and Forth-Clyde isthmuses, comprising the Hadrianic-Antonine frontier zone (Figure 1).…”

The Early Medieval Antonine Wall

“…In a sense, the Antonine Wall has only resumed being 'Roman' in the last few centuries. 16 Understanding Roman archaeology in Scotland is no longer limited to troop numbers and defensive tactics, 2 Woolliscroft 2000;Hanson 2003. but is bound up in the materiality of the military landscape and shifting memories sedimenting upon the monuments left behind. This paper will assess the evidence for the changing reception and experience of the Antonine Wall in the post-Roman period to spark new research on the complicated legacy of Rome in the North.…”