There has been disagreement among Arthurian enthusiasts about the nature of the strategos mentioned in Dio Cassius' biography of Commodus. This man was killed along with troops when several British tribes poured across Hadrian's Wall in c. 180. It has been my contention that Birley is correct in opting to identify the strategos with the legate of the Sixth legion, rather than with the British governor. I have cited Birley, but few seem to have bothered to read his argument. To help remedy that situation, I am here offering a selection from the following work:
Hadrian's Wall: Everyday Life on a Roman Frontier
Patricia Southern
Amberley Publishing Limited, Feb 15, 2016 - History - 448 pages
["Patricia Southern is an acknowledged expert the history of ancient Rome. Her interest began very early, fostered by books and the wonderful epic films that they don't make any more. This obsession with the Romans has never waned, so whilst working full time as a librarian she studied for a BA degree in Ancient History with the external department of the University of London, and for an MPhil in Roman Frontier Studies at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, where she was Librarian of the Archaeology Department for many years. She has written many books on Roman history and contributed numerous articles on Roman history to the BBC History website and the academic Roman studies journal Britannia."]
Southern very nicely summarizes current opinion on the strategos. He is important because I think it quite likely that his place was taken by Lucius Artorius Castus, prefect of the Sixth Legion. His command (dux) involved leading the depleted Sixth, supplemented by large vexillations from the other two British legions.
Hopefully, this posting will help alleviate some of the confusion (and rancor) surrounding this topic. For those who wish to read from the original Website, please see
Hopefully, this posting will help alleviate some of the confusion (and rancor) surrounding this topic. For those who wish to read from the original Website, please see
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