Roman Military Signalling - Softcover

Woolliscroft, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0752419382 ISBN 13: 9780752419381

Publisher: The History Press, 2001

Synopsis

The ingenuity and technology of the ancient world never ceases to surprise and signalling demonstrates both to the full. There has, however, never been a study of Roman signalling in English, nor has anyone previously tried to operate the techniques described in the classical manual.

Dr Woolliscroft's study is in two parts: first he describes the signalling techniques pioneered by the Greeks and developed by the Romans; then he looks at the application of these principles to Hadrian's Wall and to the German Limes, as revealed by archaeological research. In each case he finds that, despite difficult terrain, the layout allows nearly all the small observation posts to see, and thus signal to, one of the main garrison forts. Since on occasion this caused marked tactical weaknesses in the line, it is clear that signalling was given high priority by the frontier designers. Similar results are now being found elsewhere in the Roman world, suggesting that all Rome's very different looking frontier systems may have an underlying uniformity.

With 80 illustrations and complete with an Appendix containing all the key classical references to signalling, this is a study that will be indispensable for anyone seriously interested in the Roman army or in frontier studies.

About this title

About the Author

Dr DAVID WOOLLISCROFT is a specialist on Hadrian's Wall and an experienced air photographer. He is currently Director of 'The Roman Gask project', a long-term programme to study the Roman frontier on and around the Gask Ridge in Perthshire.

Edition details

• Publisher: The History Press
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0752419382
• ISBN 13: 9780752419381
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192