Arthur [Paperback]

Howard Reid (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2001

This title examines the story of King Arthur, swords in stones, chivalrous knights, and round tables. It then proposes that Arthur was not an ancient Briton as generally accepted, but a member of one of the nomadic tribes of central Asia, such as the Sarmatians, and Alans which were attacking the Roman Empire from the east.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Reid revelled in Arthurian legend during his boyhood, soaking up the tales and re-enacting them with his playmates. He became a film maker and anthropologist in adult life, specializing in award-winning films about ancient cultures around the world. His memories and fascination with King Arthur remained with him and have resulted in this absorbing book that seeks to establish links between Arthur and nomadic tribes of central Asia such as the Sarmatians and Alans. The point is made that there are similarities in their tales and traditions while, closer to home, there is no equivalent in the Celtic or Roman cultures of Arthurian symbols, emblems and feats such as drawing a sword from a stone. Do we perhaps share a lot in common with those whom we have historically regarded as barbarians? Reid argues his case that we do with considerable conviction and there will be a two-part Channel 4 documentary based on his book at publication time as well as a major newspaper serialization. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Howard Reid is a film maker and anthropologist. He has a PhD from Cambrdige University and has made many award-winning films about ancient cultures around the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Headline Book Publishing (February 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0747275580
• ISBN-13: 978-0747275589
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,419,304 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars King Arthur as a Roman Cavalry Commander, June 21, 2004

By 

greyollie "greyollie, Australia" (CANBERRA, ACT Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arthur (Paperback)

Howard Reid has produced a very readable introduction to the idea that the King Arthur legend began with a Roman Cavalry Commander in ancient Britain. Historically, the Imperial Roman Army had recruited much of its cavalry from subject peoples more familiar with horses than the Romans themselves. There were many "horse" cultures in ancient Europe and the Near East, apart from the Celts themselves. Reid introduces the Samartians, successors to the earlier Scythian horsemen who had so troubled the expansionary Roman Republic as it spread towards the Black Sea. Certainly there is much conjecture in Reid's book. However, he has the historical starting point of 175 AD when Rome posted to the Hadrian's Wall forts (that separated Roman Britain from the wild Scots tribes to the North) one of its cavalry units, comprising some 5,500 Samartian horsemen. He suggests that some of these horsemen would have settled in Britain after their period of service. From this beginning he posits a border community that would have held on to its traditions of horseback fighting. Thus, he suggests, there may have been a local war leader (dux bellorum) who used Roman cavalry tactics to fight the invading Anglo-Saxons of fifth century Britain. This "Samartian Supposition" forms the basis of the 2004 film "King Arthur". The screenwriter, David Franzoni, has his hero Arthur (played by Clive Owen) as a Samartian commander of a Roman cavalry unit on Hadrian's Wall. Arthur confronts the indigenous "Woad" (British war paint) people, North of the Wall, led by Guinevere (played by Keira Knightley). These two then make an uneasy alliance to oppose the invading Saxons. So, for once, Hollywood appears to have made a film based on some very intriguing historical supposition. Whether or not you see the film, Reid's book is an engaging effort with enough scholarship to assist its credibility but without being off-putting to those looking for a good "general" read about a possible "historical" Arthur. Thoroughly recommended, especially to those looking for something other than the 21st century Fantasy retellings of the magical King Arthur so often retold in Romantic Fiction.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Barbarian Roots of Britain's Greatest Legend, July 4, 2003

By 

Scott Innocent (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arthur (Paperback)

This is an intreaging book that questions the roots of one of the greatest legends in Western culture. This is an intriguing book that questions the roots of one of the greatest legends in Western culture. The book is essentially discussing a theory that legends and heroes that lived in central Asia spread out to affect other histories and cultures. If there is more solid evidence that surfaces over the following years then it may mean that our image and the history of everything from Christianity to the first contacts with the East will drastically change. The book's main drawback as a historical resource is that it is predominantly theory and plausible evidence, but nothing proven, at least for now.

I hope that the author, Howard Reid, is able to complete his follow up book looking at links with the legends in Asia, all the way to Japan. Experimental research and theory in history is always needed and attracts new blood and ideas into the field. As every avid reader of history knows, history is ever changing - new perspectives, evidence, and fallacies are constantly being uncovered. We should learn what is factual in order to question it, and ultimately strive to find the truth.

Enjoy a good read on a possible past!