BattlefieldsStilicho Reorganises Saxon Shore Defences 396-398 AD
Roman Period

Stilicho Reorganises Saxon Shore Defences 396-398 AD

396–398
Hampshire, England
Also known as: Stilicho campaign in Britain 396 AD · Late Roman Saxon Shore reconstitution
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Skirmish
Location
Hampshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Picts, Scots and Saxons
Forces
c. 1,500–4,000 Saxon, Pictish, Scottish raiders.
VS
Victor
Rome (Stilicho)
Forces
c. 2,000–6,000 Roman garrison and mobile troops
Outcome
Barbarian incursions suppressed; Saxon Shore and Wall garrison partially reconstituted
The Battle

History & Significance

Claudian the poet records that Stilicho visited Britain and conducted a campaign against Picts, Scots and Saxons that restored the frontier. Stilicho reorganised the garrison of the Saxon Shore forts and the Wall, though the forces available were a fraction of those of the early empire. This was one of the last significant Roman military efforts in Britain before the final withdrawal.

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