BattlefieldsMedway Battle — Second Day Main Crossing near Rochester
Roman Period

Medway Battle — Second Day Main Crossing near Rochester

43
Kent, England
Also known as: Medway 43 AD second phase · Vespasian main Medway crossing
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Kent, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Catuvellauni and Belgic confederation
Forces
Catuvellauni & Belgae c. 8,000–12,000
VS
Victor
Romans (Legio II Augusta and XIV Gemina)
Forces
Romans (II Augusta & XIV Gemina) c. 10,000
Outcome
British line broken; Togodumnus mortally wounded; road to the Thames opened
The Battle

History & Significance

On the second day of the Medway crossing, the future emperor Vespasian led Legio II Augusta in the main assault. Legio XIV Gemina under Hostilius Geta was temporarily in difficulty until reinforced. Togodumnus, co-king of the Catuvellauni with Caratacus, died of wounds shortly after. The battle lasted two full days — unprecedented in Caesar or Claudius campaigns — and was the true hinge of the Claudian conquest.

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