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.
