Battlefields›Roman Assault on Maiden Castle 43 AD
Roman Period

Roman Assault on Maiden Castle 43 AD

43
Dorset, England
Also known as: Storming of Maiden Castle · Vespasian at Maiden Castle
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Dorset, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Durotriges
Forces
Durotriges: c. 1,500–2,500.
VS
Victor
Rome (Vespasian)
Forces
Romans: c. 4,000–5,000
Outcome
Eastern gate stormed by Roman auxiliary archers; defenders killed; war cemetery excavated showing ballista bolt wounds
The Battle

History & Significance

Maiden Castle is the most archaeologically vivid Roman siege in Britain, with the excavated war cemetery showing defenders with Roman ballista bolts embedded in their spines.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Roman Assault on Maiden Castle 43 AD

Round barrows on Ridgeway
Scheduled monument · ~1.6 miles
Round barrow on Ridgeway Hill
Scheduled monument · ~1.9 miles
Group of round barrows W of Ridgeway Hill
Scheduled monument · ~1.9 miles
Six barrows on Ridgeway Hill
Scheduled monument · ~2 miles
Two round barrows N of Bincombe Barn
Scheduled monument · ~2 miles
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