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Hadrian’s Wall is not a typical Roman frontier. Its imposing scale sets it apart from its peers, raising questions about what such a substantial barrier system was intended to achieve. Was it a hollow piece of imperial rhetoric, or a bulwark against full-blown ‘barbarian’ invasions from the north? Setting the priorities apparent in the design and building schedule for the Wall alongside what is known of the fighting style of Rome’s regional enemies presents a new possibility: that the Wall served as a component of what could today be described as a sophisticated counterinsurgency strategy. Implementing this approach changed the nature of the threat in the region, requiring the Wall to be adapted in turn to meet the new circumstances it had helped to create. About the Speaker
Matthew Symonds is an internationally respected archaeologist who regularly lectures and guides for popular and specialist audiences, and is passionate about presenting the rich variety of the past in an engaging and accessible way. Matthew undertook his doctorate on Classical Archaeology at the University of Oxford, and has published widely on archaeological subjects around the world. He specialises in the frontiers of the Roman Empire, with his books including Hadrian’s Wall: creating division, published by Bloomsbury Academic, and Protecting the Roman Empire: fortlets, frontiers, and the quest for post-conquest security, published by Cambridge University Press. He is the editor of Current World Archaeology magazine.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Munro Room, Queens' College, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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