BattlefieldsOstorius Scapula Raids Ordovician Territory 48 AD
Roman Period

Ostorius Scapula Raids Ordovician Territory 48 AD

48
Gwynedd, Wales
Also known as: First Roman incursion into Ordovices territory · Scapula north Wales 48 AD
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Gwynedd, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Ordovices
Forces
Ordovices: c. 800–1,500.
VS
Victor
Rome (Ostorius Scapula)
Forces
Romans (Scapula): c. 2,000–3,000
Outcome
Raiding parties pushed back; no permanent Roman occupation established at this time
The Battle

History & Significance

The Ordovices of north-central Wales, like the Silures, became a principal theatre of resistance. Scapula conducted raids into their territory while simultaneously dealing with the Deceangli, Silures, and Caratacus. The mountainous terrain of Snowdonia gave the Ordovices formidable defensive advantages that delayed Roman conquest for over three decades.

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