BattlefieldsVespasian's assault on Venta Belgarum
Roman Period

Vespasian's assault on Venta Belgarum

43–44
Hampshire, England
Also known as: Roman advance on Winchester
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Hampshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Belgae
Forces
Belgae c. 1,500–2,500
VS
Victor
Romans (Vespasian / Legio II Augusta)
Forces
Romans (II Augusta) c. 3,000–5,000
Outcome
Settlement occupied; became Roman town of Venta Belgarum
The Battle

History & Significance

Winchester (Venta Belgarum) was the tribal centre of the Belgae. Vespasian's II Augusta swept through Hampshire en route to the south-west. Archaeological evidence shows the Iron Age site was rapidly converted to a Roman planned town, suggesting swift military control.

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