Description

Book Synopsis

For over three centuries, the inhabitants of North Britain faced the might of Rome, resulting in some of the most extraordinary archaeology of the ancient world.

This richly illustrated new history of Roman Scotland explores the complex, often tumultuous and frequently brutal interaction between the world's first superpower and the peoples who lived north of Hadrian's Wall.

With reference to the latest research and featuring all the key sites, it offers though-provoking re-assessments of many aspects of the story of the Romans in Scotland, from the loss of the IXth Legion and the reasons for building and maintaining Hadrian's Wall, to considering what spurred at least four Roman emperors to personally visit the edge of the empire.



Trade Review

'Superbly researched, accessibly written and thoughtfully and convincingly argued, this book presents a chronological history of the Romans in Scotland'

-- Ken Lussey * Undiscovered Scotland *

'A new detailed history of Roman Scotland, offer[ing] an opportunity to re-examine the legend'

* West Highland Free Press *

'[a] comprehensive, accessible, and thought-provoking study'

* Scotland on Sunday *

'offers thought-provoking re-assessments of the loss of the IXth Legion, the reasons for building Hadrian's Wall, and why at least four Roman emperors personally visited the edge of the empire'

* Southern Reporter *

'sifts through the evidence for the impact of the Romans on the country that would become Scotland... sheds new life on brutal conflict'

* Sunday Post *

'[A] comprehensive, accessible and thought-provoking study'

-- David Robinson * The Scotsman *

'a new and thought-provoking history of Roman Scotland by an acclaimed expert'

* Edinburgh Life *

'Reid has an enjoyable writing style... he also tackles areas of scholarly dispute head-on, outlining rather than glossing over key controversies'

* Current Archaology Magazine *

The Eagle and the Bear: A New History of Roman

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    £16.19

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    RRP £17.99 – you save £1.80 (10%)

    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Fri 19 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by John H. Reid

    5 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of The Eagle and the Bear: A New History of Roman by John H. Reid

      Publisher: Birlinn General
      Publication Date: 06/04/2023
      ISBN13: 9781780278148, 978-1780278148
      ISBN10: 1780278144

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      For over three centuries, the inhabitants of North Britain faced the might of Rome, resulting in some of the most extraordinary archaeology of the ancient world.

      This richly illustrated new history of Roman Scotland explores the complex, often tumultuous and frequently brutal interaction between the world's first superpower and the peoples who lived north of Hadrian's Wall.

      With reference to the latest research and featuring all the key sites, it offers though-provoking re-assessments of many aspects of the story of the Romans in Scotland, from the loss of the IXth Legion and the reasons for building and maintaining Hadrian's Wall, to considering what spurred at least four Roman emperors to personally visit the edge of the empire.



      Trade Review

      'Superbly researched, accessibly written and thoughtfully and convincingly argued, this book presents a chronological history of the Romans in Scotland'

      -- Ken Lussey * Undiscovered Scotland *

      'A new detailed history of Roman Scotland, offer[ing] an opportunity to re-examine the legend'

      * West Highland Free Press *

      '[a] comprehensive, accessible, and thought-provoking study'

      * Scotland on Sunday *

      'offers thought-provoking re-assessments of the loss of the IXth Legion, the reasons for building Hadrian's Wall, and why at least four Roman emperors personally visited the edge of the empire'

      * Southern Reporter *

      'sifts through the evidence for the impact of the Romans on the country that would become Scotland... sheds new life on brutal conflict'

      * Sunday Post *

      '[A] comprehensive, accessible and thought-provoking study'

      -- David Robinson * The Scotsman *

      'a new and thought-provoking history of Roman Scotland by an acclaimed expert'

      * Edinburgh Life *

      'Reid has an enjoyable writing style... he also tackles areas of scholarly dispute head-on, outlining rather than glossing over key controversies'

      * Current Archaology Magazine *

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