Maeatae facts for kids
The Maeatae were a group of tribes who lived in ancient Scotland. They were probably located just north of a big Roman wall called the Antonine Wall. This wall was built by the Roman Empire to protect their land in Roman Britain.
Who Were the Maeatae?
The Maeatae were a confederation, which means they were several tribes who joined together. They lived in what is now Scotland, north of the Roman Empire's borders. Historians are not completely sure about their exact location.
Where Did the Maeatae Live?
.jpg)
Some clues about where the Maeatae lived come from the names of two hills. One is Dumyat hill, near Stirling. The name "Dumyat" might come from a word meaning "hill of the Maeatae." There are old fort remains on this hill. This fort might have been the northern edge of their territory.
Another hill, Myot Hill, near Fankerton, might have been their southern border. These hills help us guess where the Maeatae might have lived.
An ancient writer named Cassius Dio wrote about the Maeatae. Other historians like John Rhys thought they lived between the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Tay. These are large sea inlets in Scotland. This area includes parts of what is now Clackmannanshire, Fife, and Stirlingshire. Some even think the Isle of May got its name from this tribe.
Dio also said the Maeatae were between a Roman wall and the Caledonians. It's not clear if he meant the Antonine Wall or Hadrian's Wall. Historians are still trying to figure out exactly who the Maeatae were.
The Maeatae and the Roman Empire
The Maeatae tribes likely formed their group around 180 AD. This happened because of agreements made between the Roman Empire and the tribes living near the Roman borders. A Roman governor named Ulpius Marcellus was in charge at that time.
Later, around the end of the 100s AD, another Roman leader, Virius Lupus, had to pay the Maeatae to keep the peace. This shows the Maeatae were a strong group that the Romans had to deal with.
In 210 AD, the Maeatae started a big rebellion against the Roman Empire. It was a very fierce fight with many losses on both sides. Another rebellion happened the next year, in 211 AD. By 213 AD, the Romans were paying the Maeatae money again to stop the fighting and keep things peaceful.
Some historians believe the Maeatae might be the same group as the Miathi. The Miathi were mentioned in an old book called Life of Columba, written by Adomnán. The Miathi are thought to be the Southern Picts. If this is true, it means the Maeatae's identity might have lasted until the 6th or 7th centuries AD.
