Roman Britannia Bulletin Part 2

By Duncan MacDonald

Exciting illustrated historical novel set in the late 1st century and 2nd century CE in Britain and Europe, recorded by Roman Company Clerks of Legio XX Valeria Victrix, based in Britain. The building of Hadrian's Wall and Antonine Wall is dealt with in detail. We look at the lives and accomplishments of Roman Emperors and Governors of Britain, their rise to power and occasional fall from grace.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Duncan MacDonald
• Release date: Jul 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005300555

Duncan MacDonald

Duncan is an Australian currently living in Jakarta, Indonesia. He is married to Shinta Dewi Sanawiya, muse, mate, motivator and President Director of the business he founded in 1993, dMAC Group in Asia, now PT Daya MACro Dinamika.Duncan has had a passion for history since childhood. He travelled alone to Turkey in 1975 to visit ANZAC Cove, scene of Australia and New Zealand’s entry to World War I. He then worked for 5 years in London, enabling him to research the Roman Empire’s occupation of Britain and question the Arthurian legends. He has published his illustrated historical e-novels set in Ireland and Britain in the 1st-7th centuries on Smashwords. Search for 'Culann - Celtic Warrior Monk'.Duncan has also published an illustrated account of his private pilgrimage to 'Anzac Cove and Lone Pine in 1975' - Search for 'Anzac'Those interested in obtaining the latest historical information on the Battle of Waterloo, (detailing who actually defeated Napoleon) can download Duncan's illustrated version in dMAC Digest Vol 4 No 6 'Waterloo'. Also the Jakarta Journals, tracing Indonesian history over the past 2,000 years, up to granting of Independence in December 1949.Any one of Duncan's 12 'dMAC Digest Health & History' magazines, or 5 illustrated historical novels can be downloaded at Smashwords.'Britannia Bulletin #1 and #2' are the latest illustrated historical novel published by Duncan. Set in the 1st & 2nd century CE we follow the adventures of a Roman Legionary in Europe & Britain. He records the lives of the early Roman Emperors and Governors of Britannia, their initial rise to power and occasional fall from grace. Major battles are dealt with in detail.

Book preview

Roman

Britannia Bulletin – Part 2

Recording Life in Roman Britain & Europe

Saga of the 2nd Century

By

Duncan MacDonald

16 August 2020

Dedicated to my darling wife Shinta D.S. MacDonald

muse, mate and motivator

Front cover illustration depicts Emperor Hadrian overlooking the Hadrian Wall.

Copyright 2020 Duncan MacDonald

Published by Duncan MacDonald at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please download an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and download your own copy.

Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – Late 1st Century CE

1.1.Emperor Titus (R 79 – 81 CE)

1.2 Emperor Domitian (R 81 – 96 CE)

1.3 Emperor Nerva (R 96 – 98 CE)

Chapter 2 - Roman Fortifications

2.1 Fortresses

2.2 Forts

2.3 Fortlets

2.4 Milecastles

2.5 Watchtowers

2.6 Marching camps

2.7 Practice camps

Chapter 3 - Emperor Trajan

Chapter 4 – Emperor Hadrian

4.1 Roman Olive Oil

4.2 Hadrian’s Early Years

4.3 Onset of 2nd Century

4.4 Hadrian’s Troubled Succession

4.5 More War

Chapter 5 – Hadrian’s Wall

5.1 Hadrian’s Personal Life

5.2 Empress Sabina

5.3 Emperor Hadrian’s Death

Chapter 6 – Governors of Britannia (118 – 158 CE)

6.1 – Quintus Pompeius Falco (118-122)

6.2 Aulus Platorius Nepos (122-128 CE)

6.3 Sextus Julius Severus (131-133 CE)

6.4 Publius Munmuis Sisenna (133-135 CE)

6.5 Quintus Lollius Urbicus (138-144 CE)

6.6 Gnaeus Julius Verus (154-158 CE)

Chapter 7 – Emperor Antonius Pius

7.1 Antonine Wall

7.2 Antoninus Administration

Chapter 8 – Joint Emperors: Lucius Verus – Marcus Aurelius

Chapter 9 – Emperor Lucius Aurelius Commodus

About the Author

Other books by Duncan MacDonald

Bibliography

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Chapter 1

Late 1st Century CE

Special Seven of Legio XX

We are the Special Seven of Legio XX Valeria Victrix, hand-picked by our Head Company Clerk to record the important historical events that occurred in Britannia, where we have been based since 43 CE – and elsewhere in our Roman Empire. We begin by reviewing some of the interesting developments that have occurred in the late 1st century and early 2nd century CE.

Readers of the earlier Britannia Bulletin #1 will recall it was written by a former Roman Company Clerk with 45 summers experience, Potitius Valerius Astutus. In 88 CE Astutus who was then 62 summers old, was summoned by the Britannia Governor, Sallustius Lucullus. The Governor explained he wanted to carry on the program of ‘Romanising’ the native inhabitants and one of the most effective methods was by teaching the locals Latin.

As Astutus was Head Company Clerk, blessed with an excellent education with exceptional language skills, had also gained a reputation of teaching young people Latin, the Governor ‘requested’ (read commanded) he retire from Legio XX Valeria Victrix, which was based at Deva Victrix fortress [now the city of Chester], and teach the local Britains Latin, full time.

Astutus was given an honourable discharge, provided a cottage near the fort, a parcel of land and a handsome bonus. He was granted continued use of all the facilities in Deva Victrix, including the bathhouse. He then retired from Legio XX Valeria Victrix and began teaching Latin full time to the locals.

Within months Astutus was approached by the Senior Centurion Marcus Favonius Facilis and the new Head Company Clerk of Legio XX, Aemilius Verus Felix. They requested some of their company clerks be included in a special ‘post educational’ class by Astutus to improve their Latin, shorthand and mathematical skills. Astutus consented. Felix then asked one more favour:

"I am aware you have written an excellent history based on your life in the legion coupled with concise biographies of some of our leaders involved in the occupation of this provence. I’m told it’s called ‘Britannia Bulletin’. Would it be possible for one of our clerks to make a copy so we can keep it as reference and the lads can practice their language skills at work as well?"

Astutus graciously agreed.

* * * *

As time passed Felix concluded that the idea of keeping and updating an historical document was beneficial to improving the skills of his company clerks. He formed the ‘Special Seven’ (specialis septem) a hand-picked team dedicated to recording the highlights of Legio XX; any ongoing drama’s in Britannia; plus, (with the assistance of other company clerks based throughout the Empire), events and distinguished individuals making history. This was carried out of course after their daily business was completed.

Seven (VII) has always been a magic number for Romans. Rome was constructed on seven hills; it was ruled by seven kings before becoming a Republic; Romans worshiped seven planetary gods – Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, the sun and the moon; which also comprise the basis of the seven days of the Roman week.

The Special Seven comprised the five most senior company clerks in Legio XX, plus always two newer clerks to act as replacements for when any of the top five retired or were transferred.

Felix’s Special Seven proved so successful that the concept was carried on by future Head Company Clerks in Legio XX Valeria Victrix.

Roman Britannia Bulletin Part 2 is the result of their efforts.

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1.1 - Emperor Titus

(Reign 79 – 81 CE)

Emperor Titus ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The Arch of Titus ~ Rome

Titus Flavius Vespasianus was born in Rome on 30 December 39 CE, the elder son of the future Emperor Vespasian. He grew up in the court of Emperor Claudius as a companion for the emperor’s son Britannicus. He showed early educational promise as a skilled poet and orator in both Greek and Latin.

Titus had a successful military career. In 57 to 59 CE he was a military tribune in Germania. He also served in Britannia, arriving in 60 CE with reinforcements needed after the revolt of Boudicca.

On returning to Rome in 63 he married Arrecina Tertulla,