Classical Caledonia

This book focuses on early modern attitudes towards Scotland's ancient past and looks in particular at the ways in which this past was not only misunderstood, but also manipulated in attempts to create a patriotic history for the nation. Adding a new perspective on the formation of Scotland's national identity, the book documents a century-long, often heated debate regarding the extent of Roman influence north of Hadrian's Wall. By exploring the lives and writings of antiquarians, poets and Enlightenment thinkers, it aims to uncover the political, patriotic and intellectual influences which fuelled this debate. Classical Caledonia casts alight on a rarely discussed aspect of Scotland's historiography, one which played a vital role in establishing early modern notions of 'Scottishness' at a time when Scotland was coming to terms with radical and traumatic changes to its position within Britain and the wider world.

“Classical Caledonia is a much-needed and thorough examination of the power and imagery of the Roman incursions into Scotland which continue to form part of Scottish national identity for Unionists and Nationalists alike.”

Classical Caledonia is a much-needed and thorough examination of the power and imagery of the Roman incursions into Scotland which continue to form part of Scottish national identity for Unionists and Nationalists alike.--Andrew Tibbs "Current Archaeology"
Montgomery presents an exhaustive and nuanced study of the origins, methodologies, and motivations behind Romanist scholars in the eighteenth century. [...] Classical Caledonia thus is a worthwhile addition to historiographical discourse of the Enlightenment, providing an excellent examination of antiquarian practices and critically challenging the motivations behind antiquarian work.--Anne Fertig, University of North Carolina "Eighteenth-Century Scotland"

Dr Alan Montgomery received his PhD at the Birkbeck, University of London in 2016 and published several papers in key journals, including the Journal of British Identities and The Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland

Documenting the 18th-century debate regarding the extent of Roman influence north of Hadrian's WallThis book focuses on early modern attitudes towards Scotland's ancient past and looks in particular at the ways in which this past was not only misunderstood, but also manipulated in attempts to create a patriotic history for the nation. Alan Montgomery casts light on a rarely discussed aspect of Scotland's historiography, one which played a vital role in establishing early modern notions of 'Scottishness' at a time when the country was coming to terms with radical and traumatic changes to its position within Britain and the wider world. 'Exploring the lives and writings of antiquarians, poets, soldiers, pamphleteers and Enlightenment thinkers, 'Classical Caledonia' uncovers the political, patriotic and intellectual influences which fuelled this struggle to redefine the character of a rapidly changing nation.Alan Montgomery completed a PhD in the 18th-century reception of Roman Scotland at Birkbeck, University of London.

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