The Dacians were stationed at Vercovicium on the wall and the Syrian archers did arrive at about the time the novel was set although they were not in time to aid Julius. South Shields became Arbeia or Arab Town, when the Hamians and the river boatmen from the Euphrates and Tigris arrived in the province making the north east quite a cosmopolitan place.
The Selgovae, Votadini and Brigante kept on revolting right up until the reign of Antoninus Pius who built the Antonine Wall to subjugate those tribes. It never quite worked out and eventually Hadrian’s Wall became the northern frontier and the Brigante finally accepted Roman rule.
The building of the two walls was the last work of the legions in Britannia and the defence of the wall was left to the auxiliaries who were sent to the northern frontier to guard it. The wall itself was built largely as described. Where there was plenty of local stone, in the east and the middle then it was made of stone. In the west it was made of turf which is why the best sections to explore are in the centre of the wall.
The vallum was added after the wall was completed. It ran along the south of the wall, on the Province side. It consisted of two mounds with a ditch between. The only crossing points were at the forts. It would not stop an enemy but it would slow him down considerably.
I have used the term bolt throwers although the machines in question were quite sophisticated and there were many sizes: manuballista, ballista, scorpio and catapulta were all names for these weapons. Here is a picture of a modern reconstruction of a scorpio as used by the re-enactors of the XXth. Incidentally this photograph was taken by the author at Cilurnum.
The sacrifice of Radha is based on evidence found all over Europe but especially in England. Lindow Man was found in a bog in Cheshire. He was not a slave and had manicured hands, traces of mistletoe in his body and was not bound. He had been struck on the head, strangled and then had his throat cut. This was a Celtic tradition. The fact that Radha was a Queen and a priestess would have made the sacrifice even more important.
The single combat between leaders was an important aspect of Celtic life. There was much honour in such a combat and the ancient writers make much of the custom. The Celts were frequently surprised when the supposedly better Roman warriors refused such a combat.
Mother Shipton’s cave on the River Nidd is a famous natural phenomenon. It is the oldest charging tourist attraction in Britain and has been visited since the 1660s. There is a petrifying well inside the cave and the limestone dripping from the roof of the cave turns everything to stone.
Books used in the research:
Rome’s Enemies-Wilcox and McBride (Osprey)
Celtic Warrior- Allen and Reynolds (Osprey)
The Roman Army from Caesar to Trajan-Simkins and Embleton (Osprey)
Hadrian’s Wall- David Breeze (English Heritage)
Chesters Roman Fort-Nick Hodgson (English Heritage)
What the Soldiers Wore on Hadrian’s Wall- Russell Robinson
Griff Hosker September 2014
People and places in the book.
Fictitious characters and places are in italics.
Name-Description
Ambrinus -Gallic Prefect
Aneurin-Recruit
Appius Serjanus-Governor’s aide
Aulus Platorius Nepos-Governor of Britannia
Belatucadros – a Celtic god of war
Briac-Brigante prince and descendant of Venutius
Capsarius(pl) capsarii-Medical orderly
Carnyx- Celtic war horn
Cilurnum-Chesters (on Hadrian’s Wall)
Claudius Culpinus-Senior centurion vexillation of the VIth
Coriosopitum-Corbridge
Dunum- River Tees
Felix-Brigante Scout
Flavia Nepos-Wife of the Governor
Frann- Marcus’ wife
Frumentarii- Roman Secret Police frumentarius singular)
Gaius Culpinus-Tungrian Prefect
Iucher-Votadini warrior
Julius Demetrius-Legate
Julius Longinus-Ala Clerk
Livius-Chosen Man
Livius Lucullus Sallustius-Prefect Marcus’ Horse
Lucia Scaura-Flavia’s companion
Macro-Marcus’ son
mansio-State inn for travellers
mansionarius-The official in charge of a mansio
Marcus Gaius Aurelius-Decurion Marcus’ Horse.
Mercaut- Lindisfarne (Holy Island)
Nemesis-Roman Fate
Oppidum- Tribal hill fort
Pons Aelius-Newcastle
Quaestor-Roman official or tax collector
Cassius Metellus Meridius- Prefect 1st Batavorum cohort
Quintus Licinius Brocchus-First Spear VIth Legion
Roaring Waters- High Force Waterfall
Rufius Atrebeus- Decurion and former Explorate and frumentarius
Scanlan-Brigante Warrior
sesquiplicarius-Corporal
Sextus-Marcus’ chosen man, later a decurion
signifer-The soldier who carries the standard and also acts as the turma banker
Tinea- River Tyne
Titus Plauca-Camp Prefect Eboracum
tonsor-Roman barber
Trierarch-Captain of a Roman warship
Vedra- River Wear
Vercovicium-Housesteads (Hadrian’s Wall)
Via Claudia-Watling Street (A5)
Via Hades-Road to Hell- Dere Street (A1)
Via Trajanus-Dere Street (Al)-Eboracum North
Vicus (pl)vici-Roman settlement close to a fort
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Book 4 Roman Retreat
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Book 6 Druid’s Gold
Book 8 The Last Frontier
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Book 10 Roman Hawk
Book 11Roman Treachery
Book 12 Roman Wall
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Book 1 Saxon Dawn
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Book 6 Saxon Slaughter
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1914
1915 Fokker Scourge
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Table o
f Contents
Published by Sword Books 2014Copyright © Griff Hosker First Edition
Dedication
PrologueCamulodunum 60 A.D.
Chapter 1Britannia 127 A.D.
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Epilogue
Maps
Historical Background
People and places in the book.
Other books