BattlefieldsAgricola Reconquers Anglesey 78 AD
Roman Period

Agricola Reconquers Anglesey 78 AD

78
Anglesey, Wales
Also known as: Agricola retakes Mona 78 AD · Second Roman conquest of Anglesey
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Anglesey, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Ordovices and Mona defenders
VS
Victor
Rome (Agricola)
Outcome
Mona recaptured using auxiliary cavalry who swam the Menai Strait; island submitted; Wales fully under Roman control
The Battle

History & Significance

Having destroyed the Ordovices, Agricola turned immediately to Anglesey — which had escaped full Roman control since Paulinus was recalled in 60 AD. With no fleet available, he had auxiliary cavalry remove armour and swim across simultaneously, catching the defenders completely unprepared. The island submitted without serious battle. Tacitus finds this characteristic Agricolan solution — bold and unconventional — entirely admirable.

Forces Involved

Unhorsed auxiliary cavalry swimming the Menai Strait; shock of unexpected crossing neutralised resistance

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Anglesey

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 Anglesey