08-28-2013, 09:52 AM
Quote:I'm increasingly of the opinion that Tacitus's description of locum artis faucibus (the 'defile feature') is intended to be as much strategic as topographic. I believe it's likely that the latin word in this case is related to a throat, gullet, or pass - like the vestibule (faux) at the entrance to a house. I.e. a place where a road passes through or over high ground and is constricted on both sides. This position would allow a small force to oppose a larger one - the phrase angustias loci (the 'narrowness of the place') is otherwise used by Livy to describe the pass at Thermopylae and a narrow street in a city battle (we've discussed this before too!...)We have certainly discussed artis faucibus before. I commented on it in some detail here. The difficulty with its being a pass through which the Britons would have to go to get to their destination, wherever that was, is the presence of the wood. Paulinus evidently regarded this as a blocking feature, which is incompatible with the fauces being a route of travel.
So the location in question would not be a closed valley or ravine, but a strategic pass where Paulinus could block the Britons' route.
As to the manoeuvres that the Britons would have to perform to get to Deryk’s preferred site, John’s suggestion of Braidnidge Wood as a possible alternative certainly merits consideration. I really should have a look at the area; it is not so far from where I live.
Michael King Macdona
And do as adversaries do in law, -
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
(The Taming of the Shrew: Act 1, Scene 2)
And do as adversaries do in law, -
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
(The Taming of the Shrew: Act 1, Scene 2)