BattlefieldsRoman Assault on Eggardon Hill Hillfort 44 AD
Roman Period

Roman Assault on Eggardon Hill Hillfort 44 AD

44
Dorset, England
Also known as: Vespasian at Eggardon · Eggardon Dorset conquest
Era
Roman Period
Battle Type
Siege
Location
Dorset, England
Status
Unregistered
The Combatants

Who Fought

Defeated
Durotriges
Forces
Durotriges: c. 300–600 defenders.
VS
Victor
Rome (Legio II Augusta)
Forces
Rome (Legio II): c. 1,200–2,000 troops
Outcome
Hilltop fortress taken; commanding position secured
The Battle

History & Significance

Eggardon Hill is a massive multivallate hillfort in west Dorset commanding wide views over the Bride valley and coast. Its position made it a key defensive node in the Durotrigan network. The fort was likely one of the twenty oppida recorded by Suetonius as captured by Vespasian. Earthwork evidence shows extensive pre-Roman occupation.

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