Battlefields›Siege of Maiden Castle
Roman Period

Siege of Maiden Castle

44
Dorset, England
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Dorset, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Durotriges
Forces
Durotriges: c. 400–1,000 defenders.
VS
Victor
Rome (Vespasian / Legio II Augusta)
Forces
Rome (Legio II): c. 2,000–3,000 troops
Outcome
Roman victory; hillfort taken
The Battle

History & Significance

Archaeological excavation found a war cemetery with ballista bolts lodged in spines — the only physical evidence of the Roman conquest fighting. Future Emperor Vespasian led the assault.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Protected heritage nearby

Scheduled Monuments near Siege of Maiden Castle

Round barrows on Ridgeway
Scheduled monument · ~1.3 miles
Group of round barrows W of Ridgeway Hill
Scheduled monument · ~1.6 miles
Six barrows on Ridgeway Hill
Scheduled monument · ~1.7 miles
Round barrow on Ridgeway Hill
Scheduled monument · ~1.7 miles
Two round barrows N of Bincombe Barn
Scheduled monument · ~1.7 miles
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