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The Drive into the Southwest

Imagine trying to march an army forward while constantly worrying about an enemy sneaking up behind you. This was the exact problem the Romans faced during the second phase of their invasion (AD 43–47), prompting a massive military campaign into southwest Britain.

The operation was commanded by the Titus Flavius Vespasianus (the future Emperor Vespasian), who led the .
His primary military objective was to "secure the tail" of the Roman advance, eliminating the threat of warlike tribes in strong defensive positions to prevent any uprisings in the army's rear.
A secondary, economic objective was to secure valuable mineral resources, such as tin in Cornwall and silver and lead in the Mendips.

The Scale of Vespasian's Success

The sheer scale of the southwest campaign demonstrated Rome's overwhelming military capability. The Roman historian Suetonius recorded that Vespasian fought 30 battles during this phase.

He successfully conquered two very powerful tribes: the fiercely resistant, hillfort-dwelling (in modern Dorset and Somerset) and the (in modern Devon and Cornwall).
His forces captured more than 20 across the region, systematically dismantling local power bases.
Vespasian also captured Vectis (the Isle of Wight), an amphibious operation that required careful coordination with the to maintain coastal supply lines.

Siege Methods and Tactics

The Romans relied on highly disciplined tactics and superior engineering to capture heavily defended Iron Age hillforts. Their methods were designed to inflict maximum psychological and physical damage.

Artillery Barrage: Sieges began by deploying to clear defenders from the high ramparts. At Hod Hill, evidence of 11 ballista bolts shows that artillery deliberately targeted the chieftain's hut in a "shock and awe" tactic to force rapid surrender.
Infantry Assault: Roman soldiers used the formation, overlapping their shields to block projectiles, allowing them to safely approach and breach fort gateways.
Pacification: Once captured, the Romans engaged in , deliberately dismantling the gates and ramparts so the hillfort could never be used against them again.

Archaeological Evidence at Maiden Castle

, a massive stronghold, provides the most famous archaeological evidence of Vespasian's brutal campaign. Despite the defenders stockpiling 50,000 slingstones, they were ultimately overwhelmed by Roman artillery.

Excavations by Sir Mortimer Wheeler at the East Gate revealed a "war cemetery" containing 34 to 52 skeletons exhibiting violent trauma.
The most undeniable proof of a Roman assault is a skeleton discovered with a Roman ballista bolt firmly lodged in its spine.
While modern archaeologists debate Wheeler's interpretation of a "bloody massacre"—suggesting some remains represent formal burials over time—the presence of Roman weaponry confirms a violent military clash.

Consolidation and Control

After crushing initial resistance, the Romans had to ensure the region remained permanently pacified. They used military infrastructure and forced relocation to maintain strict control.

The legion was divided into to garrison a network of minor forts (such as Waddon Hill and Lake Farm) and closely monitor the local population.
The Romans enforced urbanisation, forcibly moving defeated tribes from their hillforts into new, easily watched valley towns (e.g., relocating the to Durnovaria).
They established (modern Exeter) around AD 55 as a 42-acre legionary fortress for the . Archaeological finds, including a stone bathhouse and a distinctive Dolphin Antefix roof fitting matching those at Caerleon, confirm the legion's presence.
Finally, they constructed the , a major strategic road linking Exeter to Lincoln. This acted as a temporary frontier and allowed for the rapid movement of troops to suppress any future rebellions.

Students often describe the military battles but forget to explain the strategic reasons behind them; always link Vespasian's tactics to his overall goal of preventing uprisings in the Roman rear.

When an exam question uses the command word 'Explain' for this topic, you must provide a causal link between Roman methods (like slighting hillforts or building the Fosse Way) and their objectives (pacification and control).

Use specific numerical evidence from Suetonius, such as the capture of over 20 towns and fighting 30 battles, to support 8-mark or 12-mark questions about the scale of Vespasian's success.

Be prepared to evaluate archaeological evidence in your answers: mention Sir Mortimer Wheeler's findings at Maiden Castle, but acknowledge modern debates about whether the 'war cemetery' was actually a site for formal burials over time.

The commander of a Roman legion, a rank held by Vespasian during the invasion of the southwest.

The Second Augustan Legion, the highly trained military unit that led the Roman campaign into southwest Britain.

A powerful, fiercely resistant British tribe occupying modern Dorset and Somerset, known for their heavily defended hillforts.

A British tribe occupying modern Devon and Cornwall, who likely surrendered to Rome with less violent resistance than their neighbours.

Large, fortified Iron Age settlements or hillforts that served as tribal centres for ancient British groups.

The Roman fleet operating in British waters, which coordinated with ground forces for coastal captures and supply drops.

Heavy Roman artillery engines used to fire large bolts or stones with great force and precision during sieges.

A "tortoise" formation where Roman infantry overlapped their rectangular shields to create a protective shell against enemy projectiles.

The deliberate destruction of a captured fortification's defensive capabilities, such as tearing down walls and gates.

A massive Iron Age hillfort in Dorset where archaeological evidence, including a skeleton with a ballista bolt in its spine, shows heavy Roman assault.

Smaller detachments of a Roman legion used to garrison multiple forts across a wide area to maintain control over a pacified population.

The Roman name for Exeter, which was established as a major 42-acre legionary fortress for the Legio II Augusta.

A strategic Roman military highway running from Exeter to Lincoln, acting as a temporary frontier and a route for rapid troop movement.