BattlefieldsCaratacus Final Stand at the River Fortification 50 AD
Roman Period

Caratacus Final Stand at the River Fortification 50 AD

50
Shropshire, England
Also known as: Defeat of Caratacus 50 AD in Ordovician highlands · Ostorius Scapula storms the river rampart
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Pitched Battle
Location
Shropshire, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Caratacus and Ordovician coalition
Forces
Caratacus with Ordovices and allied warriors
VS
Victor
Rome (Ostorius Scapula)
Forces
Ostorius Scapula with auxiliary infantry storming the ramparts; legions in reserve
Outcome
Caratacus decisively defeated; family captured; he fled north to be betrayed by Cartimandua; transported to Rome where Claudius pardoned him
The Battle

History & Significance

Tacitus provides a detailed narrative: Caratacus selected a site where a river ran in front and steep hills rose behind, fortified the hilltop with stone ramparts, and addressed his warriors with a great speech. Ostorius Scapula sent auxiliaries to storm the ramparts while legions stood ready. The assault overran the defences despite stiff resistance. Caratacus escaped north to Cartimandua who handed him to Rome. His subsequent speech before Claudius — preserved by Tacitus — is one of the finest passages in ancient historical literature.

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