Roman conquest of Anglesey

In the year 60 CE, the Roman governor Suetonius Paulinus led his army toward the island of Mona. He had already subjugated many British tribes and established forts across southern Britain. His goal was to strike at the heart of Druidic resistance on Anglesey. Tacitus later wrote that Paulinus viewed this campaign as a way to equal the glory of recovering Armenia through the conquest of Rome's enemies. The decision to invade may have been motivated by information about copper mines located on the island. Paulinus built flat-bottomed vessels to cope with the shallows and uncertain depths of the sea near the Menai Strait. Thus the infantry crossed while the cavalry followed by fording or swimming alongside their horses where the water was deep. He did not state where these boats were built, perhaps Deva Victrix in Chester. An army moving on foot along the north coast of Wales would have first seen Anglesey from the mouth of the Sychnant Pass near Abergwyngregyn. There the three land routes converge before reaching the strait.

Women And Firebrands

On the shore stood the opposing army with its dense array of armed warriors. Between the ranks dashed women in black attire like the Furies, with hair dishevelled and waving brands. All around, the Druids lifted up their hands to heaven and poured forth dreadful imprecations. They scared Roman soldiers by the unfamiliar sight so that they stood motionless and exposed to wounds. Roman soldiers are not often described as scared to paralysis. Their reception must have been an extraordinary experience even for professional soldiers. However, the Romans rallied and won a brutal victory over people who they regarded as savages. Tacitus reports that they bore the standards onwards and smote down all resistance. They wrapped the foe in the flames of his own brands. A force was next set over the conquered and their groves devoted to inhuman superstitions were destroyed. No sacred groves have been confirmed on Anglesey by archaeology but late Iron Age ritual deposits have been found in Llyn Cerrig Bach. The Roman army remained on Anglesey long enough to begin garrisoning the island. Then Suetonius received tidings of the sudden revolt of the province led by Boudica. He marched amidst a hostile population to Londinium leaving the island free from Roman rule for sixteen years.

When did Suetonius Paulinus invade Anglesey?

Suetonius Paulinus invaded Anglesey in the year 60 CE. He led his army to strike at the heart of Druidic resistance on the island.

What happened during the Roman invasion of Anglesey in 60 CE?

Roman soldiers faced a terrifying display from Druids and women who used imprecations to scare them into paralysis before the Romans won a brutal victory. The invaders destroyed sacred groves and garrisoned the island until receiving news of Boudica's revolt sixteen years later.

How did Gnaeus Julius Agricola conquer Anglesey in 77 CE?

Gnaeus Julius Agricola launched an unexpected attack in late 77 CE using picked auxiliaries who swam across the Menai Strait without boats or fleet support. The enemy expected a naval armament and surrendered quickly after this surprise crossing.

Where is the first Roman military site on Anglesey located?

The Cemlyn Cropmark is the first Roman military site on the island dated around 77 CE and discovered in 1990. It overlooks Cemlyn Bay which serves as a good landing place on the north coast.

When did direct Roman military control cease on Anglesey?

Direct Roman military control may have ceased on Anglesey about 383 when Magnus Maximus took much of the garrison to the Continent. Honorius advised remaining cities to look to their own defense in 410.

Roman conquest of Anglesey

Women And Firebrands

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Common questions

When did Suetonius Paulinus invade Anglesey?

What happened during the Roman invasion of Anglesey in 60 CE?

How did Gnaeus Julius Agricola conquer Anglesey in 77 CE?

Where is the first Roman military site on Anglesey located?

When did direct Roman military control cease on Anglesey?

The Second Invasion

Forts And Farmsteads

Watchtowers And Raids

The Historian's Voice