Caledonia
Caledonia refers to a historical region in the Scottish Highlands, identified by the ancient Roman writer Tacitus as the land of the Celtic tribes known as the Caledonii. This area is noted for its rugged terrain and significant cultural history. Ptolemy, another historical figure, described the inhabitants of the Great Glen, further emphasizing the region's distinct identity during Roman times. The Romans engaged with Caledonia through military campaigns, most notably against the Caledonii at Mons Graupius in AD 84, although they were never able to conquer the region decisively. Following the construction of Hadrian's Wall and subsequent military efforts, including those by Emperor Septimius Severus, the Romans faced challenges in maintaining control over the area.
The Picts, emerging around the 3rd century, posed a significant threat to Roman interests in Caledonia, as they began to dominate much of central and eastern Scotland. Meanwhile, Irish immigrants, known as Scotti, settled along the coasts and established principalities, contributing to the cultural landscape of the region. By around the 6th century, these settlements had evolved into the kingdom of Dalriada. The historical significance of Caledonia lies not only in its resistance to Roman conquest but also in its role as a cultural melting pot that shaped early Scottish identity.
Caledonia
the name used by Tacitus for the land of the Celtic Caledonii in the Scottish highlands, and by Ptolemy for the inhabitants of the Great Glen southwest of the Beauly Firth
Other writers are vaguer, whereas Dio Cassius divides non-Roman Britain between the Caledonii and Maeatae.
Agricola defeated the Caledonii at Mons Graupius (Bennachie?) in AD 84, but without conquering them decisively. After the construction of Hadrian's Wall (Tyne-Solway) and Antonine Wall (Forth-Clyde, later abandoned), Septimius Severus renewed the attack on them (209–11), but again without lasting results, though tenuously dependent client kingdoms were later established in Dumbarton and Lothian. The Picts, a people, apparently, of mixed Celtic and non-Celtic race (though the Romans used the name inexactly), are first heard of c 297, and became a serious threat in the fourth century, when, based on Strathmore, they began to control much of central and eastern Scotland; while at the same time immigrants from Ireland not only occupied the maritime regions of Britain from south Wales to the Solway Firth, but planted colonies on the coasts of Argyllshire which developed c 500–50 into principalities, later unified to form Dalriada (the name of their homeland Ulster), in which St. Columba founded his monastery at Iona c 563. These settlers were known as Scotti, and became so numerous and powerful that they gave their name to the whole country.
See map ofBritain.