BattlefieldsMons Graupius Batavian Assault 83 AD
Roman Period

Mons Graupius Batavian Assault 83 AD

83
Scotland
Also known as: Batavian cohort assault at Mons Graupius · Roman auxiliary infantry charge Mons Graupius
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Scotland
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Caledonian confederation
VS
Victor
Rome (Agricola)
Outcome
Batavian and Tungrian assault broke the Caledonian centre; cavalry exploitation completed the rout; 10,000 Caledonians killed per Tacitus
The Battle

History & Significance

Tacitus provides specific tactical detail: Agricola committed four cohorts of Batavians and two of Tungrians to lead the assault up the slope. Batavians were trained in close-quarters fighting without reliance on the pilum, using short swords to close immediately with the enemy. This disrupted the Caledonian formation before their flanking movement could be executed, creating the gap that Agricola cavalry exploited to complete the rout.

Casualties & Losses

Tacitus claims 10,000 Caledonians killed; Roman losses 360 killed

Forces Involved

Four Batavian cohorts and two Tungrian cohorts in assault; cavalry under Agricola on the flanks

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Aubrey Research

Explore the landscape around this battlefield

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 this battlefield