BattlefieldsRoman Destruction of Ordovices Cavalry Regiment
Roman Period

Roman Destruction of Ordovices Cavalry Regiment

77
Gwynedd, Wales
Also known as: Ordovices Ambush of Roman Ala 77 AD
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Gwynedd, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Rome (auxiliary cavalry regiment)
Forces
Roman auxiliary cavalry c. 500–1,000 in ambush.
VS
Victor
Ordovices tribe
Forces
Ordovices c. 2,000–3,000
Outcome
Ordovices victory; entire Roman cavalry regiment destroyed
The Battle

History & Significance

Immediately before Agricola's arrival as governor, the Ordovices ambushed and destroyed an entire Roman cavalry regiment (ala) — an extraordinary feat. This defeat triggered Agricola's punitive campaign against them in the same season. The location is unknown but likely in the mountains of north-west Wales (Snowdonia / Merionethshire). The last recorded military action by the Ordovices before their destruction as a tribe.

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