Glass, Alcohol and Power in Roman Iron Age Scotland

Roman glass from indigenous sites is a key source material for studying the impact of Rome on Iron Age Scotland, but it has never been properly studied. This work fills that gap. This study is based on the Roman glass vessels found on non-Roman/native sites north of Hadrian’s Wall, dated mainly to the Roman Iron Age (0-400 AD). It sheds light on aspects of Roman-native relations, most importantly the exchange of goods and ideas, and considers the problem of whether the finds of glass on native sites represent loot or plunder as has been argued, or whether they were the outcome of some peaceful enterprise such as trade, exchange or present giving.