BattlefieldsSilures Attack on Roman Fort
Roman Period

Silures Attack on Roman Fort

52
Monmouthshire, Wales
Also known as: Silures Raid on Legio XX Camp
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Monmouthshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Rome
Forces
c. 300–500 Roman fort construction detachment.
VS
Victor
Silures tribe
Forces
c. 1,000–2,000 Silures warriors
Outcome
Silures overran a Roman camp and drove off Roman reinforcements
The Battle

History & Significance

Tacitus records that the Silures overwhelmed a Roman detachment that was building a fort in their territory, then beat off two cavalry squadrons and four auxiliary cohorts sent to relieve it. Even the legionary troops had to be committed before the Silures withdrew. This level of sustained organised resistance was extraordinary — Rome had never before encountered a tribal enemy quite like the Silures. Location estimated near the later fortress at Burrium (Usk).

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Monmouthshire

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 Monmouthshire