Origin of the limes

[D B Campbell]

(Just following the notorious Wheeler again, who does have useful points)

I must dig out Everett's papers again -- they are always insightful and interesting.

Defensive thinking might be inferred when it's actually mentioned.

The only problem is ... is it actually mentioned?!

I'm not sure what relevance Dio 52.27 and 52.31 have. They don't seem to "call for strong frontier defenses". Similarly, Strabo 6.4.2 and 17.3.25. They all relate to the Augustan empire, which is, by general consensus, aggressively expansionist. I'd be surprised if they can be used to support a defensive strategy. Have I missed something? :?

A perceived necessity to control an area - via fortifications, patrols (see Hadrian's wall?) - might certainly indicate defensive preparations, no?

I suppose it's a matter of interpretation. I would argue that the control of an area does not necessarily imply defensive thinking. Or am I missing something?

Other quotes: Herodian 2.11.5 and Dio 75.3.2 which calls Mesopotamia a probolos, bulwark.

Dio 75.3.2 says quite the opposite to me. The context is Severus' expansion of the empire in the east, so I'm not sure that he can be used to illustrate a "defensive" strategy. You're quite right, that he allegedly excused his expansion as the need to ensure the defence of the Syrian heartland. But (imho) the expansion of the empire cannot be an indicator of a defensive strategy.

Finally, Herodian 2.11.5 is an interesting one, as an overt (if late) expression of a defensive mindset. Finally! But he has clearly misunderstood Augutus' strategy, which (as I said above) was unmistakeably expansionist.

Apologies are due, as I seem to have diverted Jona's original question. Let's get back to the limes!

[size=85:2l37b2db]P.S. We really ought to thank Bill and Jona again, for making these sources available on-line. What would we do without them? [/size]