Rate My Professor Nigel Holman

Nigel Holman completed a Doctorate by Research at the University of New England in the School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. His doctoral thesis, titled Roman Defences Against the Germani: Initial Contact to the Emergence of the 'Limes', 58 BC-AD 96, was published in 2016 under the supervision of Matthew Dillon and Michael Schmitz. This work examines the circumstances and causes that led to the various stages of development in Rome’s defence against the Germani from the initial interaction with Julius Caesar to the emergence of the permanent patrolled and defended defences known as the ‘Limes’ under the Flavians. It identifies and defines the Germanic tribes and delineates the stages of Roman defensive development, including border, ‘buffer zone’, frontier, and ‘Limes’. The thesis explains the potential and perceived threat posed by the Germani to Rome and Roman interests. The development of defences originated as two separate buffer zones along the rivers Rhine and Danube, transitioning from a military frontier into a permanent, patrolled and defended defensive line, the ‘Limes’. The evolution of Rome’s defences corresponds to the development of their relationship and understanding of the Germani. The emergence of the ‘Limes’ signalled Rome’s abandonment of efforts to conquer and incorporate the Germani, recognising their inability to unify under a single authority. Rome limited the Germani’s threat through defensive policies, securing interests with minimal military resources, establishing links with Rome and the Danube legions, and freeing military strength to address other threats along the Danube.

Nigel Holman presented his research at the 31st Conference of the Australasian Society for Classical Studies. His paper, titled A re-assessment of the career of P. Quinctilius Varus and his overall suitability for the governorship of Germania, challenges the traditional portrayal of Varus as an incompetent and corrupt administrator unqualified for governing Germania Magna, as depicted in ancient sources and followed by many modern scholars. Holman argues that a comprehensive evaluation of Varus’ character, earlier political and military career, and overall suitability casts doubt on the accepted view that Augustus made a poor choice in appointing him.