Roman and Native Remains in Caledonia

Abstract

The written history of the Roman operations in Caledonia is incomplete and shadowy. In the Agricola the legions march across the stage fighting victoriously, but the natives, except in the battle of Mons Graupius, hardly emerge from the forests and the marshes. In recent years not a little has been done to shed clearer light on the Roman campaigns. Roads have been traced, remains of forts have been recovered and laid bare, periods of occupation have been worked out, and the collection of relics becomes daily larger and of greater importance. Looking over the material which has been gathered together in the past ten years, the question naturally suggests itself: has the investigation of Roman sites in Scotland resulted in any corresponding increase in our knowledge of the native population against whom these campaigns were directed? To this, it seems, the answer must be in the affirmative.