BattlefieldsNorthern Raids before Hadrian's Wall (117 AD)
Roman Period

Northern Raids before Hadrian's Wall (117 AD)

117–118
Northumberland, England
Also known as: Maeatae Incursion 117-118 · Pre-Wall Northern Raids
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Northumberland, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Varies
Forces
Northern raiders: c.2,000-4,000.
VS
Victor
Varies
Forces
Rome: c.3,000-5,000 garrison/mobile
Outcome
Serious losses inflicted on Romans; Hadrian dispatched troops and possibly came to Britain; wall ordered
The Battle

History & Significance

The Historia Augusta records that at the start of Hadrian's reign "the Britons could not be kept under Roman control" and that there were serious losses. This crisis — perhaps a major northern incursion — may have been what prompted Hadrian to visit Britain in 122 AD and to order the construction of his wall. The scale of the emergency can be inferred from the dispatch of a relief force from the Rhineland and possibly a Spanish cohort.

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