BattlefieldsThe Barbarian Conspiracy — Picts Breach Hadrian Wall 367 AD
Roman Period

The Barbarian Conspiracy — Picts Breach Hadrian Wall 367 AD

367
Northumberland, Scotland
Also known as: Conspiratio Barbarica Pictish assault 367 AD · Pictish wall breach Barbarian Conspiracy 367 AD
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Northumberland, Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Rome
Forces
Roman Wall garrison overwhelmed having been betrayed by Areani scouts
VS
Victor
Picts, Scots, and Attacotti
Forces
Coordinated Pictish, Scottish, and Attacotti assault
Outcome
Hadrian Wall overrun; Dux Fullofaudes captured; Count Nectaridus killed; province in anarchy for over a year
The Battle

History & Significance

The Barbarica Conspiratia of 367 AD was the most catastrophic single event in late Roman Britain. Picts from the north, Scots from Ireland, and Attacotti struck simultaneously in a coordinated assault planned over years. The Areani — Roman scouts living among the northern tribes supposed to warn of attack — had been suborned and betrayed Wall positions. For at least a year, Roman authority across Britain virtually collapsed.

Casualties & Losses

Two senior Roman commanders killed or captured; Wall garrison severely disrupted; scale of disaster extraordinary

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

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