BattlefieldsVespasian's Campaign against the Durotriges
Roman Period

Vespasian's Campaign against the Durotriges

43–47
Dorset, England
Also known as: South-West Conquest · Legio II Augusta Southwest Campaign
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Dorset, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Durotriges / Dumnonii
Forces
Durotriges/Dumnonii: c. 3,000–5,000.
VS
Victor
Rome (Vespasian / Legio II Augusta)
Forces
Romans: c. 5,000–6,000 (II Augusta)
Outcome
Twenty hillforts captured; Isle of Wight taken; southwest subjugated
The Battle

History & Significance

The future emperor Vespasian commanded Legio II Augusta in the southwest campaign that conquered Dorset, Somerset, and parts of Devon and Cornwall. Suetonius records he fought thirty battles, captured twenty oppida, and subdued two powerful tribes. The Durotriges were the most fiercely resistant tribe in the southwest — their chariot-based warfare and hillfort networks required systematic reduction. This campaign is unique in Roman Britain for having strong archaeological confirmation at multiple sites.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around Dorset

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 Dorset