OS1/25/42/16A

List of names as written Various modes of spelling Authorities for spelling Situation Description remarks
Supposed Site of the BATTLE OF MONS GRAMPIUS between the Britons under Galgacus and the Romans under Agricola A.D. 84 052 [continued from page 16]
"The Camps discovered in Strathmore, corresponding in every respect with those found in the hither parts of North Britain, already subdued by the Romans, prove beyond the possibility of doubt, that the country to the eastward of the Tay was the scene of Agricola's operations during his seventh campaign". page 84.
Continuing, therefore, in this direction, 14 miles from Meigle will bring us to the Camp at Battledykes, situated between Killymoor and Brechin. From the account formerly given of this work, it appears to be one of the most entire of the kind hitherto discovered, at the same time that the similarity of its figure, and its dimensions, prove indisputably that it held the same army formerly encamped at Ardoch and Grassy Walls. If the circumstances of the situation had in any degree answered to Tacitus's description, particularly if it had been near enough to the Grampian Mountains, the name of Battledykes would have had some weight, and we might have conjectured that this was the camp which the Roman General occupied immediately before the famous battle with Galgacus. But the place is at least 4 miles from the bottom of the mountains, with the large river South Esk intervening; the passage of which, and other incidents that must have attended it, the historian could scarcely have failed to mention, had this been the spot from whence they marched to attack the enemy found on the faces of the opposite mountains. On the other hand, if the Caledonians had been posted on that part of the Grampians immediately behind the Killymoor, called Cothlaw hill, they would then have occupied a position with their right towards Glen Isla, and their left towards Glen Prosen, which would have respectively covered their flanks. In this case, it is true, the Romans in marching from Battledykes to attack them would have had no river to pass, but then they must have had a march of 6 or 7 miles to make before they could have reached the bottom of the mountains; and this great distance will by no means suit that particular circumstance mentioned by Tacitus of leaving the legions drawn up just before the intrenchment;* for then they never could have sustained their auxillaries, had they attacked unsuccessfully or met with any great and unforeseen disaster! Indeed, if the Caledonians had been posted here Agricola would not have marched so far to the eastward as Battledykes ; but from Meigle would probably
have
[continued on page 16b]

Continued entries/extra info

[Page] 16a

  Transcribers who have contributed to this page.

Alison James- Moderator, Brenda Pollock

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