The abandonment of the Roman occupation of Scotland in the governorship of Julius Verus is seen as deliberate, ordered and, so far as we can see, peaceful. It is argued that the withdrawal is linked to an ongoing shortage of military manpower in Britain, brought to a head by the transfer in a.d. 158 of legionary vexillations to the German provinces (attested by RIB 1322) to assist with the reconfiguration of the frontier there.