دیوار هادریان: مرز شمال‌غربی روم

Hadrian's Wall is the most important surviving memorial to the military power of Rome. In the brilliance of its original concept, in the monumental character of its construction, it is altogether superior to the defended frontiers of Germany, of the Drobruja, and of North Africa. France might profitably have studied it in the planning of the ill-fated Maginot Line. David Divine's historical outline of the wall is concise, clear, and readable. But it is also a history of the Roman occupation of Britain through four centuries of its existence. Examining the wall as a military critic, he attacks tradition vigorously. It is his premise that the wall was a military triumph but a political disaster. The failure to pacify the Caledones produced a military situation that compelled the establishment of a strongly defended frontier. The maintenance of that frontier, with its garrison, upset the economic balance of the province. The very excellence of the wall itself ensured prolonged periods of idleness in its garrison. Mr. Divine's book is an impressive study of a province militarily uncertain, politically unstable, and economically unviable. It is a provocative assault on traditional beliefs, and it provides not only detailed and invaluable information on the wall itself but new insight into the Roman achievement. - Jacket flap. Hadrian's Wall is the most important surviving memorial to the military might of Rome--much admired and emulated as a model of frontier management. Yet the author's provocative study vigorously attacks tradition, calling the wall a military triumph but a political disaster. The failure of the Romans to pacify the Caledones produced a military situation that compelled the establishment of a strongly defended frontier, the maintenance of which upset the economic balance of the province. This book is an impressive study of a province militarily uncertain, economically unviable, and politically unstable. It is also a clear, thoughtful, and eminently readable history of the Roman occupation of Britain through four centuries of existence. Hadrian's Britain The incomparable memorial Resolutely opposed to Rome Consequences of Agricola's recall Hadrian the decision-maker The eastern sector The splendour of the high sill Western anomalies The building of the wall Forts of the frontier complex Military effectiveness The Antonine adventure Regeneration of the north The engendering of revolt The great overwhelming Decline and disaster.