The Roman King Arthur?: Lucius Artorius Castus

The book explores the theories behind the 2004 film "King Arthur" and suggests that the Roman officer Lucius Artorius Castus may have been the basis for the medieval legend of King Arthur. It offers a historical narrative of Roman Britain's break down, the arrival of Germanic peoples, and the emergence of petty kingdoms. The book also examines the evidence for and against a historical Arthur, offering suggestions as to his identity, location of battles, and the possible political, military, social, and cultural situation he lived in.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 30 April 2022
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

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 delves into 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 comprehensive academic study of Artorius Castus offers a range of potential timeframes and details his career through a turbulent and bloody period of Roman history. He served as the primus pilus of V Macedonia and the 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, the arrival of Germanic peoples, and the 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 portrayal 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.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399084024