The Frontiers of Imperial Rome
At its height, the Roman Empire was the greatest empire yet seen with borders stretching from the rain-swept highlands of Scotland in the north to the sun-scorched Nubian desert in the south. But how were the vast and varied stretches of frontier defined and defended?

Many of Rome's frontier defenses have been the subject of detailed and ongoing study and scholarship. Three frontier zones are now UNESCO World Heritage sites (the Antonine Wall having recently been granted this status - the author led the bid), and there is growing interest in their study. This wide-ranging survey will describe the varying frontier systems, describing the extant remains, methods and materials of construction and highlighting the differences between various frontiers. Professor Breeze considers how the frontiers worked, discussing this in relation to the organization and structure of the Roman army, and also their impact on civilian life along the empire's borders. He then reconsiders the question of whether the frontiers were the product of an overarching Empire-wide grand strategy, questioning Luttwak's seminal hypothesis.

This is a detailed and wide-ranging study of the frontier systems of the Roman Empire by a leading expert. Intended for the general reader, it is sure also to be of great value for academics and students in this field. The appendixes will include a brief guide to visiting the sites today.
"1108158769"
The Frontiers of Imperial Rome
At its height, the Roman Empire was the greatest empire yet seen with borders stretching from the rain-swept highlands of Scotland in the north to the sun-scorched Nubian desert in the south. But how were the vast and varied stretches of frontier defined and defended?

Many of Rome's frontier defenses have been the subject of detailed and ongoing study and scholarship. Three frontier zones are now UNESCO World Heritage sites (the Antonine Wall having recently been granted this status - the author led the bid), and there is growing interest in their study. This wide-ranging survey will describe the varying frontier systems, describing the extant remains, methods and materials of construction and highlighting the differences between various frontiers. Professor Breeze considers how the frontiers worked, discussing this in relation to the organization and structure of the Roman army, and also their impact on civilian life along the empire's borders. He then reconsiders the question of whether the frontiers were the product of an overarching Empire-wide grand strategy, questioning Luttwak's seminal hypothesis.

This is a detailed and wide-ranging study of the frontier systems of the Roman Empire by a leading expert. Intended for the general reader, it is sure also to be of great value for academics and students in this field. The appendixes will include a brief guide to visiting the sites today.
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The Frontiers of Imperial Rome

The Frontiers of Imperial Rome

by David J. Breeze
The Frontiers of Imperial Rome

The Frontiers of Imperial Rome

by David J. Breeze

Paperback(Reprint)

$24.95 
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Overview

At its height, the Roman Empire was the greatest empire yet seen with borders stretching from the rain-swept highlands of Scotland in the north to the sun-scorched Nubian desert in the south. But how were the vast and varied stretches of frontier defined and defended?

Many of Rome's frontier defenses have been the subject of detailed and ongoing study and scholarship. Three frontier zones are now UNESCO World Heritage sites (the Antonine Wall having recently been granted this status - the author led the bid), and there is growing interest in their study. This wide-ranging survey will describe the varying frontier systems, describing the extant remains, methods and materials of construction and highlighting the differences between various frontiers. Professor Breeze considers how the frontiers worked, discussing this in relation to the organization and structure of the Roman army, and also their impact on civilian life along the empire's borders. He then reconsiders the question of whether the frontiers were the product of an overarching Empire-wide grand strategy, questioning Luttwak's seminal hypothesis.

This is a detailed and wide-ranging study of the frontier systems of the Roman Empire by a leading expert. Intended for the general reader, it is sure also to be of great value for academics and students in this field. The appendixes will include a brief guide to visiting the sites today.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781526760807
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication date: 09/12/2019
Edition description: Reprint
Pages: 272
Sales rank: 1,024,707
Product dimensions: 6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

David Breeze OBE is Chairman of the International Congress of Roman Frontier Studies. He was formerly Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments for Scotland, and is the author of books on Hadrian’s Wall, the Antonine Wall, Roman frontiers and the Roman army. He is an Honorary Professor at the Universities of Durham, Edinburgh and Newcastle, and has an honorary doctorate from the University of Glasgow University.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations vii

List of Plates ix

Acknowledgements x

Technical Matters xii

Abbreviations xiv

Select List of Roman Emperors by Dynasties xv

Introduction xvii

Part I Sources 1

Chapter 1 The Frontiers 3

Chapter 2 An Overview of the Sources 7

Chapter 3 The Romans on Frontiers 14

Chapter 4 The Romans on Frontier Installations 25

Chapter 5 Regulations and Treaties 30

Chapter 6 The Building Blocks of Frontiers 34

Part II The Frontiers 53

Chapter 7 Linear Barriers 55

Chapter 8 River Frontiers 92

Chapter 9 Desert Frontiers 118

Chapter 10 Mountain Frontiers 133

Chapter 11 Sea Frontiers 146

Chapter 12 Forests, Marshes and Swamps 159

Chapter 13 The Deep Frontier: Defence-in-Depth? 161

Part III Interpretation 165

Chapter 14 The Development of Frontiers 167

Chapter 15 Military Deployment 172

Chapter 16 A Comparison of Frontiers 177

Chapter 17 Decision Making 181

Chapter 18 How Did Frontiers Work? 184

Chapter 19 The Purpose and Operation of Roman Frontiers 194

Chapter 20 Were Roman Frontiers Successful? 206

Conclusions 209

Further Reading 213

Sites to See 225

Notes 228

Index 236

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