A stage show inspired by the first battle between the ancient Caledonians and the Roman Empire is being developed in the north-east, where the actual drama is believed to have unfolded in 83AD.
Storytelling artist Andy Cannon is creating a new production, The Last People on Earth, inspired by the story of the battle of Mons Graupius.
The first battle ever recorded in Scotland’s bloody history took place at an unspecified point in the north-east when Roman forces marched on ancient Caledonian granaries just after they had been filled up from the harvest.
The Scots faced a grim choice – to finally confront the enemy they had been avoiding for years, or starve through the winter.
According to the Roman historian Tacitus, 10,000 Caledonians were slain in the battle, with the loss of only 360 Roman troops.
Various locations in the north-east have been pinpointed by historians in the past, such as Bennachie, Kincardineshire, the Grampian mountains and regions around the River Dee, but so far no definite battleground has been mapped.
Mr Cannon said the story offered a rich source of inspiration for his new show, which is being developed in partnership with Aberdeen Performing Arts (APA)
“Mons Graupius has captivated historians and antiquarians for hundreds of years, not least because exactly where in the north-east the battle occurred is still a matter of intense scholarly dispute to this day,” he said.
“The Roman historian Tacticus told of Calgacus, leader of the Caledonians and his celebrated address to his warriors on the eve of the battle of Mons Graupius.
“This historic call to arms has echoed down through the subsequent 2,000 years to this present day, while arguably shaping many a nation defining declaration in its wake.
“Yet how many of the descendants of these heroic North Britons have even heard of Mons Graupius, Calgacus or their forefather’s ultimate glorious defeat at the swords of the mighty Roman Empire?”
APA artistic producer Lesley Anne Rose said: “Andy will travel around the region visiting probable battle sites, chatting with academics, archaeologists and artists in the north-east and pulling together ideas on how to create a brand new show out of all that he unearths.”
A drop-in session with Mr Cannon will be hosted at the Aberdeen Music Hall on Saturday, May 9, to reveal more about the show and the battle of Mons Graupius.
For more information visit www.aberdeenperformingarts.com.