BattlefieldsPaulinus's Retreat through Londinium
Roman Period

Paulinus's Retreat through Londinium

60
Greater London, England
Also known as: Roman Evacuation of London 60 AD
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Greater London, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Roman civilians
Forces
minimal Roman defenders; city evacuated before sack
VS
Victor
Boudicca
Forces
Boudiccan army
Outcome
Paulinus abandoned Londinium; civilians who could not keep up with the army were massacred
The Battle

History & Significance

Suetonius Paulinus marched quickly from Wales to Londinium but arrived to find the city impossible to defend. He made the cold strategic decision to abandon it — those who could not follow the army (the old, the women, the attached civilians) were left to Boudicca. The burnt layer from 60 AD, containing Roman pottery and coins, is still found several feet below modern London streets.

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