The written history of Scotland largely begins with the coming of the Roman empire to Britain. Although the pre-Roman inhabitants occasionally used writing for commemorative purpose, these societies favoured a strong oral history. With the loss of the druidic tradition (due to war, famine, and particularly the proscriptions of later Christian missionaries), the people forgot much of this lore. The only surviving pre-Roman account of Scotland originated with the Greek Pytheas of Massalia who circumnavigated the British islands (which he called Pretaniké) in 325 ...

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History of Scotland, History of Scotland - Prehistoric settlement, History of Scotland - Roman invasion, History of Scotland - Post-Roman Scotland, History of Scotland - Rise of the Kingdom of Alba, History of Scotland - Anglo-Norman influence, History of Scotland - War with England, History of Scotland - Late Mediaeval events, History of Scotland - Mary Queen of Scots, History of Scotland - Protestant Reformation, History of Scotland - Wars of the Three Kingdoms and the Puritan Commonwealth, History of Scotland - Bishops Wars, History of Scotland - Civil War in England and Scotland, History of Scotland - Cromwellian Occupation and Restoration, History of Scotland - The Glorious Revolution, History of Scotland - Scottish overseas colonies, History of Scotland - Union the Hanoverians and the Jacobites, History of Scotland - Industrial Revolution Clearance and Enlightenment, History of Scotland - 20th Century Scotland, History of Scotland - 21st Century Scotland

Read more here: » History of Scotland: Encyclopedia II - History of Scotland - Roman invasion

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History of Scotland, History of Scotland - Prehistoric settlement, History of Scotland - Roman invasion, History of Scotland - Post-Roman Scotland, History of Scotland - Rise of the Kingdom of Alba, History of Scotland - Anglo-Norman influence, History of Scotland - War with England, History of Scotland - Late Mediaeval events, History of Scotland - Mary Queen of Scots, History of Scotland - Protestant Reformation, History of Scotland - Wars of the Three Kingdoms and the Puritan Commonwealth, History of Scotland - Bishops Wars, History of Scotland - Civil War in England and Scotland, History of Scotland - Cromwellian Occupation and Restoration, History of Scotland - The Glorious Revolution, History of Scotland - Scottish overseas colonies, History of Scotland - Union the Hanoverians and the Jacobites, History of Scotland - Industrial Revolution Clearance and Enlightenment, History of Scotland - 20th Century Scotland, History of Scotland - 21st Century Scotland

Read more here: » History of Scotland: Encyclopedia II - History of Scotland - Post-Roman Scotland

By 1700, the Protestant monarchy seemed in danger of coming to an end with the childless Stuart Queen Anne. Rather than return to her Roman Catholic brother James Francis Edward Stuart, the English Parliament enacted that Sophia of Hanover and her descendants should succeed (Act of Settlement 1701). However, the Scottish counterpart, the Act of Security, merely prohibited a Roman Catholic successor, leaving open the possibility that the crowns would diverge. Rather than risk the possible return of James Francis Edward Stuart, then liv ...

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History of Scotland, History of Scotland - Prehistoric settlement, History of Scotland - Roman invasion, History of Scotland - Post-Roman Scotland, History of Scotland - Rise of the Kingdom of Alba, History of Scotland - Anglo-Norman influence, History of Scotland - War with England, History of Scotland - Late Mediaeval events, History of Scotland - Mary Queen of Scots, History of Scotland - Protestant Reformation, History of Scotland - Wars of the Three Kingdoms and the Puritan Commonwealth, History of Scotland - Bishops Wars, History of Scotland - Civil War in England and Scotland, History of Scotland - Cromwellian Occupation and Restoration, History of Scotland - The Glorious Revolution, History of Scotland - Scottish overseas colonies, History of Scotland - Union the Hanoverians and the Jacobites, History of Scotland - Industrial Revolution Clearance and Enlightenment, History of Scotland - 20th Century Scotland, History of Scotland - 21st Century Scotland

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The death of Commodus put into motion a series of events which eventually led to civil war. Following the short reign of Pertinax, several rivals for the throne emerged, including Septimius Severus and Clodius Albinus. The latter was the new governor of Britain, and had seemingly won the natives over after their earlier rebellions; he also controlled three legions, making him a potentially significant claimant to the purple. His sometime rival Severus promised him the title of Caesar in return for Albinus' support against Pescennius N ...

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Roman Britain, Roman Britain - Early Roman contacts, Roman Britain - The Roman invasion, Roman Britain - Roman rule is established, Roman Britain - Occupation and retreat from southern Scotland, Roman Britain - Trade and industry, Roman Britain - The third century, Roman Britain - Government of Britannia, Roman Britain - The fourth century, Roman Britain - Town and country, Roman Britain - The end of Roman rule, Roman Britain - Religion, Roman Britain - Sub-Roman Britain, Roman Britain - The legacy

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Under the Roman Empire, administration of peaceful provinces was ultimately the remit of the Senate but those like Britain that required permanent garrisons of troops were placed under the Emperor's control. On the ground however imperial provinces were run by resident governors who were former senators who had held the consulship. These men were carefully selected often having strong records of military success and administrative ability. In Britain, a governor's role was primarily military but numerous other tasks were also his responsibil ...

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Roman Britain, Roman Britain - Early Roman contacts, Roman Britain - The Roman invasion, Roman Britain - Roman rule is established, Roman Britain - Occupation and retreat from southern Scotland, Roman Britain - Trade and industry, Roman Britain - The third century, Roman Britain - Government of Britannia, Roman Britain - The fourth century, Roman Britain - Town and country, Roman Britain - The end of Roman rule, Roman Britain - Religion, Roman Britain - Sub-Roman Britain, Roman Britain - The legacy

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Constantius Chlorus returned to Britain in 306, aiming to invade northern Britain. The province's defences had been rebuilt in the preceding years and, although his health was poor, Constantius wished to penetrate far into enemy territory and win a further victory. Little is known of his campaigns and there is little archaeological evidence for them. From fragmentary historical sources it seems he reached the far north of Britain and won a great battle in early ...

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Roman Britain, Roman Britain - Early Roman contacts, Roman Britain - The Roman invasion, Roman Britain - Roman rule is established, Roman Britain - Occupation and retreat from southern Scotland, Roman Britain - Trade and industry, Roman Britain - The third century, Roman Britain - Government of Britannia, Roman Britain - The fourth century, Roman Britain - Town and country, Roman Britain - The end of Roman rule, Roman Britain - Religion, Roman Britain - Sub-Roman Britain, Roman Britain - The legacy

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A number of important settlements were founded by the Romans, during their occupation of Britain. Many of which still survive. Cities and towns which have Roman origins include: (with their Latin names in brackets) Alcester - (Aluana) Bath - (Aquae Sulis) Caerleon - (Isca Silurum) Caerwent - (Venta Silurum) Canterbury - (Durovernum) Carmarthen - (Moridunum) Colchester - (Camulodonum) Chichester - (Noviomagus< ...

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Roman Britain, Roman Britain - Early Roman contacts, Roman Britain - The Roman invasion, Roman Britain - Roman rule is established, Roman Britain - Occupation and retreat from southern Scotland, Roman Britain - Trade and industry, Roman Britain - The third century, Roman Britain - Government of Britannia, Roman Britain - The fourth century, Roman Britain - Town and country, Roman Britain - The end of Roman rule, Roman Britain - Religion, Roman Britain - Sub-Roman Britain, Roman Britain - The legacy

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The traditional view of historians, informed by the work of Michael Rostovtzeff, was of a widespread economic decline at this time. However, consistent archaeological evidence has told another story, and the accepted view is undergoing re-evaluation. The destruction of many sites is now believed to be much later than had formerly been thought. Many buildings changed use, but were not destroyed. There were growing barbarian attacks, but focused on vulnerable rural settlements rather than the towns. Some villas such as Great Casterton in Rutla ...

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Roman Britain, Roman Britain - Early Roman contacts, Roman Britain - The Roman invasion, Roman Britain - Roman rule is established, Roman Britain - Occupation and retreat from southern Scotland, Roman Britain - Trade and industry, Roman Britain - The third century, Roman Britain - Government of Britannia, Roman Britain - The fourth century, Roman Britain - Town and country, Roman Britain - The end of Roman rule, Roman Britain - Religion, Roman Britain - Sub-Roman Britain, Roman Britain - The legacy

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Religion in Roman Britain consisted originally of pagan worship. A common element was the conflation of Roman gods and local Iron Age deities such as Mars Rigonemetos at Nettleham. The degree to which earlier native beliefs survived is difficult to gauge precisely. Certain northern European ritual traits such as the significance of the number 3, the importance of the head and of water sources such as springs remain in the archaeological record but the differences in the votive offerings made at Bath before and after the Roman conquest suggest that continuity was only partial. Worship of the emperor himself is wide ...

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Roman Britain, Roman Britain - Early Roman contacts, Roman Britain - The Roman invasion, Roman Britain - Roman rule is established, Roman Britain - Occupation and retreat from southern Scotland, Roman Britain - Trade and industry, Roman Britain - The third century, Roman Britain - Government of Britannia, Roman Britain - The fourth century, Roman Britain - Town and country, Roman Britain - The end of Roman rule, Roman Britain - Religion, Roman Britain - Sub-Roman Britain, Roman Britain - The legacy

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Britain came under increasing pressure from barbarian attack on all sides towards the end of the 4th century, and troops were too few to mount an effective defence. The army rebelled and, after elevating two disappointing usurpers, chose a soldier, Constantine III, to become Emperor in 407. He soon crossed to Gaul with an army, to be defeated by Theodosius I; it is unclear how many troops remained or ever returned, nor whether a commander-in-chief in Britain was ever reappointed. A Saxon incursion in 408 was apparently repelled by the Briton ...

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Roman Britain, Roman Britain - Early Roman contacts, Roman Britain - The Roman invasion, Roman Britain - Roman rule is established, Roman Britain - Occupation and retreat from southern Scotland, Roman Britain - Trade and industry, Roman Britain - The third century, Roman Britain - Government of Britannia, Roman Britain - The fourth century, Roman Britain - Town and country, Roman Britain - The end of Roman rule, Roman Britain - Religion, Roman Britain - Sub-Roman Britain, Roman Britain - The legacy

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During their occupation of Britain, the Romans built an extensive network of roads, many of which are still in use today. The Romans also built water and sewage systems. The prestige of the empire influenced Britons' views of themselves for generations to come. Britain is also noteworthy as having the largest European region of the former Roman Empire which currently speaks neither (as a majority language): A Romance language (for example, Romania, where territory was under Roman control about half as long as Brita ...

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Roman Britain, Roman Britain - Early Roman contacts, Roman Britain - The Roman invasion, Roman Britain - Roman rule is established, Roman Britain - Occupation and retreat from southern Scotland, Roman Britain - Trade and industry, Roman Britain - The third century, Roman Britain - Government of Britannia, Roman Britain - The fourth century, Roman Britain - Town and country, Roman Britain - The end of Roman rule, Roman Britain - Religion, Roman Britain - Sub-Roman Britain, Roman Britain - The legacy

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For the first twenty years, the Roman rule was oppressive, and this treatment led Boudicca, Queen of the Iceni, to revolt. The Trinovantes and Catuvellauni joined, and the alliance assaulted the Roman colony at Camulodunum, looting and burning the town as well as slaying every man, woman and child they found. The governor Suetonius Paullinus, upon reaching London from his campaigning in the western part of the province, found the town indefensible with the few troops he had. As a result, Paullinus was forced to abandon the city and took only ...

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Roman Britain, Roman Britain - Early Roman contacts, Roman Britain - The Roman invasion, Roman Britain - Roman rule is established, Roman Britain - Occupation and retreat from southern Scotland, Roman Britain - Trade and industry, Roman Britain - The third century, Roman Britain - Government of Britannia, Roman Britain - The fourth century, Roman Britain - Town and country, Roman Britain - The end of Roman rule, Roman Britain - Religion, Roman Britain - Sub-Roman Britain, Roman Britain - The legacy

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There is no historical source describing the decades that followed Agricola's recall. Even the name of his replacement is unknown. Archaeology has shown that some Roman forts south of the Forth-Clyde isthmus were rebuilt and enlarged, although others appear to have been abandoned. Roman coins and pottery are found circulating at native settlement sites in what are now the Scottish lowlands in the years before 100, indicating growing Romanisation. Around 105, however, a serious setback appears to have happened at the hands of the indig ...

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Roman Britain, Roman Britain - Early Roman contacts, Roman Britain - The Roman invasion, Roman Britain - Roman rule is established, Roman Britain - Occupation and retreat from southern Scotland, Roman Britain - Trade and industry, Roman Britain - The third century, Roman Britain - Government of Britannia, Roman Britain - The fourth century, Roman Britain - Town and country, Roman Britain - The end of Roman rule, Roman Britain - Religion, Roman Britain - Sub-Roman Britain, Roman Britain - The legacy

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By the time of the Roman occupation, Britain's tin exports to the Mediterranean had been largely eclipsed by the more convenient supply from Iberia. Gold, iron, lead, silver, jet, marble and pearls however were all exploited by the Romans in Britain along with more everyday commodities such as hunting dogs, animal skins, timber, wool, corn and slaves. Foreign investment created a vigorous domestic market and imports were often of exotic Continental items such as fine pottery, oliv ...

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Roman Britain, Roman Britain - Early Roman contacts, Roman Britain - The Roman invasion, Roman Britain - Roman rule is established, Roman Britain - Occupation and retreat from southern Scotland, Roman Britain - Trade and industry, Roman Britain - The third century, Roman Britain - Government of Britannia, Roman Britain - The fourth century, Roman Britain - Town and country, Roman Britain - The end of Roman rule, Roman Britain - Religion, Roman Britain - Sub-Roman Britain, Roman Britain - The legacy

Read more here: » Roman Britain: Encyclopedia II - Roman Britain - Trade and industry

Hadrian's Wall was built following a visit by Roman emperor Hadrian. Hadrian was experiencing military difficulties not just in Britain, but from the peoples of various conquered lands across the Empire, including Egypt, Judea, Libya, Mauretania, and many of the peoples conquered by his predecessor Trajan, so was keen to impose order. However the construction of such an impressive wall was probably also built as a symbol of Roman po ...

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Hadrian's Wall, Hadrian's Wall - Route, Hadrian's Wall - Hadrian, Hadrian's Wall - Construction, Hadrian's Wall - Garrison, Hadrian's Wall - After Hadrian, Hadrian's Wall - Other fortifications, Hadrian's Wall - In fiction

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Construction started in 122 and was largely completed within ten years, with soldiers from all three of the occupying Roman legions participating in the work. The route chosen largely paralleled the nearby Stanegate road from Carlisle to Corbridge, which was already defended by a limes and several auxiliary forts, including Vindolanda. The initial plan called for a ditch and wall with 80 small, gated milecastle forts every Roman mile holding a few dozen troops each, and pairs of intermediate turrets used for observation and signalling ...

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Hadrian's Wall, Hadrian's Wall - Route, Hadrian's Wall - Hadrian, Hadrian's Wall - Construction, Hadrian's Wall - Garrison, Hadrian's Wall - After Hadrian, Hadrian's Wall - Other fortifications, Hadrian's Wall - In fiction

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The wall was garrisoned by auxiliary (i.e., non-legionary) units of the army (non-citizens). Their numbers fluctuated throughout the occupation, but may have been around 9,000 strong in general, including infantry and cavalry. The new forts could hold garrisons of 500 men whilst cavalry units of 1000 troops were stationed at either end. The total number of soldiers manning the early wall was probably greater than 10,000. They suffered serious attacks in 180, and especially between 196 and 197 when the garrison had been seriously weake ...

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Hadrian's Wall, Hadrian's Wall - Route, Hadrian's Wall - Hadrian, Hadrian's Wall - Construction, Hadrian's Wall - Garrison, Hadrian's Wall - After Hadrian, Hadrian's Wall - Other fortifications, Hadrian's Wall - In fiction

Read more here: » Hadrian's Wall: Encyclopedia II - Hadrian's Wall - Garrison

In the months after Hadrian's death in 138, the new emperor, Antoninus Pius essentially abandoned the wall, though leaving it occupied in a support role, and began building a new wall in Scotland proper, about 100 miles north, the Antonine Wall. This turf wall ran 40 Roman miles (about 37 modern miles) and had significantly more forts than Hadrian's Wall. Antonine was unable to conquer the Picts and so when Marcus Aurelius became emperor, he abandoned the Antonine Wall and occupied Hadrian's Wall once again in 164. It remained occupied by R ...

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Hadrian's Wall, Hadrian's Wall - Route, Hadrian's Wall - Hadrian, Hadrian's Wall - Construction, Hadrian's Wall - Garrison, Hadrian's Wall - After Hadrian, Hadrian's Wall - Other fortifications, Hadrian's Wall - In fiction

Read more here: » Hadrian's Wall: Encyclopedia II - Hadrian's Wall - After Hadrian

Hadrian's Wall featured extensively in the movie King Arthur (2004) to offer a newer, freshened version of the Arthur mythos. They were garrisoned at one of the blockhouses where Arthur had his "Round Table". Arthur and his men were "knights" held in servitude by the Romans who occupied Britain, and later by the Pope. For more on the movie, see the Internet Movie Database. Sycamore Gap, a section of the wall between two crests just west of milecastle 38, is locally known as the "Robin Hood Tree". This location was featured in the 19 ...

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Hadrian's Wall, Hadrian's Wall - Route, Hadrian's Wall - Hadrian, Hadrian's Wall - Construction, Hadrian's Wall - Garrison, Hadrian's Wall - After Hadrian, Hadrian's Wall - Other fortifications, Hadrian's Wall - In fiction

Read more here: » Hadrian's Wall: Encyclopedia II - Hadrian's Wall - In fiction

When Gnaeus Julius Agricola was appointed Roman governor of Britain in 78 AD, most of northern Britain was still controlled by native British tribes. During his governorship Agricola extended Roman control north of Eboracum (York) and into what is now Scotland. Roman settlements, garrisons and roads were established throughout the Northumberland region. The northern frontier of the Roman occupation fluctuated between Pons Aelii (now Newcastle) and the Forth. Hadrian's Wall was completed by about 130 AD, to defend Roman-occupied lands ...

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History of Northumberland, History of Northumberland - Ancient Northumberland, History of Northumberland - The Roman Occupation, History of Northumberland - Northumbria and The Anglian Kingdoms, History of Northumberland - Monastic Culture, History of Northumberland - The Earldom of Northumbria, History of Northumberland - The Norman Invasion and its Aftermath, History of Northumberland - Border Wars Reivers and Rebels, History of Northumberland - Union and Civil War, History of Northumberland - Industrial Development, History of Northumberland - 20th Century Politics and Culture

Read more here: » History of Northumberland: Encyclopedia II - History of Northumberland - The Roman Occupation