BattlefieldsRoman Assault on Llanmelin Wood Hillfort 74 AD
Roman Period

Roman Assault on Llanmelin Wood Hillfort 74 AD

74
Monmouthshire, Wales
Also known as: Frontinus at Llanmelin · Silurian oppidum near Caerwent
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Monmouthshire, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Silures
Forces
Silurian defenders c. 1,500–3,000 at Llanmelin.
VS
Victor
Rome (Frontinus)
Forces
Rome (Frontinus) c. 4,000–6,000
Outcome
Major Silurian hillfort taken; inhabitants relocated to new Roman civitas capital at Venta Silurum (Caerwent)
The Battle

History & Significance

Llanmelin Wood hillfort near Caerwent is the best candidate for the Silurian tribal capital or major oppidum in the Gwent lowlands. Its excavation has shown extensive late Iron Age occupation. Following conquest, the Silures were settled in the new Roman civitas capital at Venta Silurum (Caerwent), one of the most complete Roman towns surviving in Britain today.

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