07-06-2014, 06:38 PM
How many sites from the Roman era have produced archaeological evidence that convincingly supports their identification as known battle fields?
I can think of relatively few - Alesia and Gergovia, although both are disputed; Cremona in Italy, Kalkriese and Harzhorn in Germany (although the battles themselves are not so easy to identify!); Colchester in Britain, Masada and Dura Europos in the east. Additional evidence from various points along the limes attests to conflict, although I think only in a few cases can it be linked to a known war.
Are there more? If not, why might this be? It's probably significant that six of the eight I mentioned above were sieges, and a seventh featured a wall...
I can think of relatively few - Alesia and Gergovia, although both are disputed; Cremona in Italy, Kalkriese and Harzhorn in Germany (although the battles themselves are not so easy to identify!); Colchester in Britain, Masada and Dura Europos in the east. Additional evidence from various points along the limes attests to conflict, although I think only in a few cases can it be linked to a known war.
Are there more? If not, why might this be? It's probably significant that six of the eight I mentioned above were sieges, and a seventh featured a wall...
Nathan Ross
