The Road: A Story of Romans and Ways to the Past

The Road is a TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR and an early contender for History Books of the Year. It is a lyrical journey into two thousand years of history, retracing and searching for an elusive Roman road that sprang from one of the busiest road hubs in Roman Britain. It is a mesmerising journey into two thousand years of history, gathering traces of archaeology, history, and landscape from poems, church walls, hag stones, cropmarks, oxlips, killing places, hauntings, and immortals, and things buried too deep for archaeology.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2024
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

The Roman roads that have shaped the course of history for over two thousand years are a subject of fascination for many. Almost everyone in Britain lives close to a Roman road, but many are unaware of their existence. In the beginning, Watling Street was the first road scored on the land when the invading Romans arrived in 43 CE. Campaign roads were rolled out to all points of the compass, forcing their way inland as the Britons fell back. The roads pursued them relentlessly, carrying troops, supplies, and military despatches.

As the legions pushed onwards across what is now England, Wales, and north into Scotland in search of booty, mineral wealth, land, and tribute, they left behind a vast road network that linked marching camps and forts, changing the landscape and etching the story of the Roman advance into the face of the land.

Christopher Hadley, acclaimed author of Hollow Places, takes us on a lyrical journey into this past, retracing and searching for an elusive Roman road that sprang from one of the busiest road hubs in Roman Britain. His passage is not always easy, as time and nature have erased many clues. Bridges rotted, and whole woods grew across the route, making it difficult to trace the original path. Carters found an easier ford downstream, and people broke up its milestones to mend new paths.

Year after year, the heavy clay swallowed whole lengths of the road, turning it into a bridleway. It became an overgrown path, hidden from view.

Despite the challenges, Hadley's determination and research bring the story of these forgotten roads to life. He explores the ruins of Roman forts and camps, and discovers the remains of ancient milestones and roadways. His journey takes him through the countryside, from the bustling city of London to the remote landscapes of Scotland.

Through his writing, Hadley sheds light on the importance of these roads in shaping the history of Britain and Europe. He highlights the role that the Roman Empire played in spreading culture, technology, and trade throughout the region. He also explores the impact that the Roman roads had on the development of the British countryside, as they facilitated the movement of goods and people and helped to establish trade routes.

In conclusion, the Roman roads that have shaped the course of history for over two thousand years are a fascinating subject that continues to captivate people today. Christopher Hadley's book, Hollow Places, is a testament to the determination and research of a historian who has brought these forgotten roads to life. Through his writing, Hadley sheds light on the importance of these roads in shaping the history of Britain and Europe, and highlights the role that the Roman Empire played in spreading culture, technology, and trade throughout the region.

Weight: 324g
Dimension: 129 x 197 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008356729