Visions of the Roman North: Art and Identity in Northern Roman Britain
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Archaeopress
Published:22nd Apr '21
Should be back in stock very soon
Visions of the Roman North: Art and Identity in Northern Roman Britain is the first book to present an analysis of art from the northern frontier zones of Roman Britain and to interpret the meaning and significance of this art in terms of the formation of a regional identity at this time. It argues that a distinct and vibrant visual culture flourished in the north during the Roman period, primarily due to its status as a heavily militarized frontier zone. Artworks from forts and the frontier-works of Hadrian’s Wall and the Antonine Wall, along with funerary monuments from military and civilian cemeteries, are analysed and discussed. The book also explores religious sculpture depicting classical deities, Romano-British gods and goddesses and eastern deities such as Mithras in terms of the use of imagery in various belief systems and in terms of the establishment of individual and group identities.
‘…this is amongst the very best books on Roman Britain which I have ever read. It engages with what made Northern Britain special and culturally distinct in the Roman Empire. There is a real understanding for Northern Roman Britain here, and an understanding for a unique artistic culture that raises it very high indeed as a book on the provincial art of the Roman Empire.’ – Revd Professor Martin Henig, University of Oxford
‘The volume has been carefully edited and beautifully produced. The chapters are exceedingly well illustrated (107 figures total, with the majority in color), all of which helpfully supports the author’s often detailed analyses of individual works (including multiple views of some)… All in all, Visions of the Roman North is a rich and challenging ‘long essay’ that should appeal to a broad spectrum of readers, from specialists of Roman provincial art to students to museumgoers.’ – Sinclair W. Bell (2026): Theoretical Roman Archaeology Journal
ISBN: 9781789699050
Dimensions: 243mm x 173mm x 12mm
Weight: 1100g
236 pages