MORE ON LINEAR B

Abstract

territory passed from Roman to Burgundian rule: the cult of the Theban martyrs, for example, was closely associated with the Burgundian monarchy long after the collapse of Roman rule (pp. 300–11). As indicated by the above synopsis, this volume does not simply discuss the military history of the Roman limes on the upper Rhine, but a number of broader related topics as well, such as the continuing cultural relevance of Roman fortifications long after the Empire’s fall. One of its strengths is the variety of sources employed in the discussion, from ancient literary testimony and inscriptions to physical evidence like the treasure of Kaiseraugst. In addition, the book is abundantly illustrated with photographs, reproductions, maps and plans, many of which are in colour. A final benefit to the reader is the gazetteer of sites and relevant bibliography at the end of the book. The principal criticisms I have are both relatively minor. First of all, the discussion of certain topics is sometimes somewhat cursory: for example, given the importance of Julian’s victory over the Alemanni at Strasbourg to his subsequent career, the treatment of this event is surprisingly brief (pp. 216–17). Secondly, although the authors make use of a variety of sources and evidence, one seeming omission in this regard is coinage. Although mention is made of the problems inherent in using late Roman coin hoards as evidence for historical events, individual coins are conspicuous by their absence, despite the fact that the legends and images found on them provide some of the best evidence we have for imperial policy and propaganda. Such criticisms do not significantly detract from the overall quality of the book. The many sources in translation, conveniently assembled therein, will no doubt appeal to more casual readers, while the gazetteer of sites and bibliography will be of benefit for those wishing to conduct more detailed research on a given topic or site. The work should not only be of interest to those studying the history and archaeology of Roman Switzerland and the limes of the upper Rhine, but also those exploring broader aspects of Roman history, such as imperial strategy and the interplay of Christianity and the Roman military.