BattlefieldsVespasian's assault on Calleva Atrebatum
Roman Period

Vespasian's assault on Calleva Atrebatum

43–44
Hampshire, England
Also known as: Roman capture of Silchester
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Hampshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Atrebates
Forces
Atrebates c. 2,000–3,000
VS
Victor
Romans (Vespasian / Legio II Augusta)
Forces
Romans (II Augusta) c. 5,000–7,000
Outcome
City submitted peacefully or after brief resistance; became Roman civitas capital
The Battle

History & Significance

Calleva Atrebatum (Silchester) became the tribal capital of the Atrebates under Rome. Its seizure was part of Vespasian's south-western sweep. The Atrebates under Cogidubnus may have welcomed Roman rule, making this more a political submission than an assault, but Roman forces certainly occupied the oppidum.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Hampshire

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any location in Britain — drawing on Domesday records, scheduled monuments, Victorian OS maps, geological data and archaeological archives to tell the full story of a place.

Research a location near Hampshire