BattlefieldsFrontinus Assault on Pen y Gaer Hillfort 75-76 AD
Roman Period

Frontinus Assault on Pen y Gaer Hillfort 75-76 AD

75–76
Powys, Wales
Also known as: Frontinus at Pen y Gaer · Roman Brecon Beacons campaign
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Powys, Wales
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Silures / Ordovices border groups
Forces
Silures/Ordovices c. 1,500–3,000 at hillfort.
VS
Victor
Rome (Frontinus)
Forces
Rome (Frontinus) c. 4,000–6,000
Outcome
Hillfort in the Brecon Beacons taken; Roman fort at Y Gaer (Brecon) subsequently established
The Battle

History & Significance

Pen y Gaer near Brecon is a multivallate hillfort in the Usk headwaters area commanding routes through the central Brecon Beacons. Frontinus progress into the highland interior required the systematic reduction of such defensive sites. The subsequent construction of the Roman fort at Y Gaer (Brecon Gaer) nearby cemented Roman control of the upper Usk valley.

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