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Septimius Severus in Scotland (Paperback)

The Northern Campaigns of the First Hammer of the Scots

Ancient History > Rome & the Roman Provinces Military > Greenhill Books

By Simon Elliott
Greenhill Books
Pages: 208
Illustrations: 50 black and white illustrations
ISBN: 9781784385804
Published: 18th August 2020

in_stock

£15.99


Publicity

How one Roman Emperor ordered genocide against the Scottish people; Simon Elliott's appearance on the History Hit podcast with Dan Snow.

Ancient Roman 'hand of god' discovered near Hadrian's Wall sheds light on biggest combat operations ever in UK – an article by David Keys for Independent.co.uk, with comments by Dr Simon Elliott.

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'The order was brutal, its message unequivocal – kill the men, women and children of what is now Scotland and don’t shed a tear for any of them.' - The Scotsman

The SpectatorSince 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 ageing 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 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.

Elliott provides an excellent overview of the life of Septimius Severus and his campaign in Roman Britain. His study will spark conversation and, potentially, further research into this period of time and geographical location. Those who are interested in these subjects will find this text of interest.

Journal of Military History, Society for Military History - reviewed by Dirk Yarker

A fascinating description of the largest military operation EVER on British soil.

Dan Snow

The authors analysis and insights offered throughout the book do help interpret expeditio felicissima Britannica.

Battlefields Trust

Featured in 'Reading List' part of Kill Them All! article

Wargames Illustrated, August 2019

Article: 'New guided tour lets visitors walk in the shoes of the Roman army' as featured by

The Herald (online), 25th May 2019 – words by Jody Harrison

Article: 'The story of Kentish ragstone used to build Roman London on TV tonight in episode one of London: 2000 Years Revealed on Channel 5'

KentOnline, 5th March 2019 – words by William Janes

Elliott has a great grasp of military and architectural detail but despite the vast amount of information this is an easy read that is complemented by the use of illustrations.

In-depth and fascinating.

Read the full review here

Scottish Field

As feature on

History Hit Podcast

As featured by

Kent Messenger, 26th August 2018

Author article as featured by

Military History Monthly, July 2018

★★★★★ Septimius Severus in Scotland is a short but compelling analysis of the Emperor’s two campaigns in what is now Scotland in AD 209 and 210.

The contemporary sources are few but the author, Dr Simon Elliott, brings to bear his knowledge as an expert of Roman military history and as an archaeologist to portray a more complete account of the campaigns than hitherto has existed.

Read the complete review online here.

Raphael, Amazon

As featured on

JPS, Amazon

“Septimius Severus in Scotland” is a book I would recommend to anyone with an interest not only in Roman history, but history in general, and would complement any historic literary collection.

Read the complete review online here.

Nigel Emsen, Amazon

An interesting read.

Amazon Customer

As featured in

The Independent 17/6/18

Author interview as featured by

The Sunday Post, 13th May 2018

Article: The bloody untold story of Roman's Scottish campaign by Kevin Quinn as featured by

The Southern Reporter, April 19th 2018

Article: 'Remarkable secrets of the Romans time in Scotland unveiled' by Jody Harrison as featured by

Herald Scotland, 26th March 2018

About Simon Elliott

Dr Simon Elliott is an award winning and best selling archaeologist, historian and broadcaster with a PhD in Classics and Archaeology from the University of Kent where he is now an Honorary Research Fellow. He has an MA in Archaeology from UCL and an MA in War Studies from KCL. Simon is widely published with numerous works in print on various themes relating to the ancient world, with a particular focus on the Roman military, and he makes frequent appearances on TV as a Roman expert. Simon lectures widely to universities, local history societies and archaeological groups, is co-Director of a Roman villa excavation, a Trustee of the Council for British Archaeology and an Ambassador for Museum of London Archaeology. He is also a Guide Lecturer for Andante Travels and President of the Society of Ancients.

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