The Roman King Arthur?

Lucius Artorius Castus

Tony Sullivan

$59.99

Hardback

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English

Pen and Sword
01 June 2022

History; British & Irish history; Ancient history: to c 500 CE

The 2004 film, King Arthur, starring Clive Owen and Keira Knightley, introduced the audience to Lucius Artorius Castus as the basis to the much later legend of King Arthur. The book analyses the theories behind the film which link this second to third century Roman officer with the medieval Arthurian legends and a possible historical figure in post-Roman Britain. This first full academic study of Artorius Castus offers a number of potential timeframes and details his career through a turbulent and bloody period of Roman history, serving as primus pilus of V Macedonia and praefectus of the Sixth Legion in northern Britain. Turning to the historical narrative of the film it covers the archaeological and literary evidence for the break down of Roman Britain, arrival of Germanic peoples and emergence of petty kingdoms and new cultural identities. The penultimate chapter lays out the evidence for and against a historical Arthur, offering suggestions as to his identity, location of his battles and the possible political, military, social and cultural situation he lived and fought in. This is an entertaining and informative picture of two fascinating figures, one firmly historical, the other shrouded in myth and legend. The book leaves the reader with a clear picture of the lives of a Roman career officer and later dark-age warrior and the different worlds in which they lived. Anyone interested in the Roman period, post-Roman Britain and the possibilities for a historical Arthur should enjoy this book.

AUTHOR: Tony Sullivan lives in South East London with his wife and three children. He started his writing career after thirty one years in the London Fire Brigade. His first book, King Arthur, Man or Myth was published in 2020. A second book investigating the historical reality behind the 2000 film, Gladiator, is followed by this book, concerning the life of the Roman soldier Lucius Artorius Castus.

32 b/w illustrations

By: Tony Sullivan
Imprint: Pen and Sword
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9781399084024
ISBN 10: 139908402X
Pages: 208
Publication Date: 01 June 2022
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Unspecified

Tony Sullivan lives in South East London with his wife and three children. He started his writing career after thirty one years in the London Fire Brigade. His first book, King Arthur, Man or Myth was published in 2020. A second book investigating the historical reality behind the 2000 film, Gladiator, is followed by this book, concerning the life of the Roman soldier Lucius Artorius Castus.

Reviews for The Roman King Arthur?: Lucius Artorius Castus

A fun, fascinating, informative and thought-provoking read from cover to cover... -- Midwest Book Review A fascinating investigation into the historical figure of Lucius Artorius Castus, camp prefect of VI Victrix based at Eboracum, York. --Dave Grainger, Legio VI Victrix, reenactment group, York A welcome addition to modern discussions the roman army officer Lucius Artorius Castus which seeks to place him within an appropriate timescale and very properly disputes the links that have been suggested between this 'real' Roman army officer and the later and very much more fictional king Arthur. --Professor Nick Higham, historian and author