ARTICLES of GENERAL INTEREST<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n HOW THE SILURIAN TRIBE OF SOUTH WALES TOOK ON THE ROMANS A Struggle for Dominance <\/strong>The Roman invasion of Britain in 43 AD marked the beginning of a series of campaigns that would extend Roman control over the island. Among the fiercest opponents the Romans encountered were the Silurians, a tribe inhabiting what is now South Wales. Their resistance was marked by a series of battles that epitomised the struggle between the Roman Empire and the native tribes of Britain.<\/p>\n The Silures: A Brief Introduction <\/strong>The Silures were a Celtic tribe known for their warrior culture and staunch independence. They occupied the region that includes modern-day Glamorgan and Monmouthshire. The tribe was characterised by its fierce resistance to any form of domination, and their territory was known for its rugged terrain, which provided natural fortifications against invaders.<\/p>\n Early Encounters and Initial Resistance <\/strong>The initial encounters between the Romans and the Silures were marked by hostility and violent skirmishes. The Silures, under the leadership of their chieftains, adopted guerrilla tactics, utilising their knowledge of the local terrain to launch surprise attacks on Roman forces. The dense forests and mountainous regions provided ideal conditions for these hit-and-run tactics, frustrating the Roman legions and impeding their progress.<\/p>\n The Campaigns of Ostorius Scapula <\/strong>By 47 AD, the Roman governor of Britain, Ostorius Scapula, recognised the need to subdue the Silures to secure the western frontier of the Roman province. Ostorius launched a series of campaigns aimed at breaking the resistance of the Silures. He initiated the construction of forts and defensive structures to protect Roman territories from Silurian raids. Despite these measures, the Silures continued their resistance with relentless ferocity. Historical accounts suggest that Ostorius faced significant challenges in his efforts to defeat the Silures, who remained defiant and unyielding. The death of Ostorius around 52 AD marked a temporary respite for the Silures, who continued to resist subsequent Roman governors with equal determination.<\/p>\n The Role of Caratacus <\/strong>A pivotal figure in the resistance against the Romans was Caratacus, a chieftain of the Catuvellauni tribe from south east Britain, who had fled to the Silures after his defeat by the Romans. Caratacus became a symbol of resistance and united various tribes in their struggle against the Roman invaders. His presence among the Silures bolstered their resolve and provided them with a strategic leader capable of coordinating their efforts. Caratacus’s large-scale organizing leadership\u00a0was instrumental in attacks on Roman fortifications and supply lines. His ability to inspire and unite the tribes made him a formidable opponent for the Romans. However, his eventual capture in 51 AD and subsequent display in Rome as a prisoner of war marked a turning point in the resistance, although it did not signify the end of Silurian defiance.<\/p>\n The Continued Resistance and Final Subjugation <\/strong>The Silures continued their resistance even after the capture of Caratacus. The Roman governor Publius Ostorius Scapula’s successors faced persistent challenges in their efforts to pacify the region. The construction of additional forts and the deployment of more legions were necessary to maintain a semblance of control. It was during the governorship of Sextus Julius Frontinus in the late 70s AD that significant strides were made in subduing the Silurians. Frontinus employed a combination of military force and strategic diplomacy to weaken the Silurian resistance. He established a network of roads and forts to facilitate the movement of Roman troops and supplies, effectively cutting off the Silures from their sources of support. The decisive battle that led to the final subjugation of the Silures occurred around 78 AD. The details of this battle remain unclear, but it is believed that the superior organisation and discipline of the Roman legions ultimately overwhelmed the Silurians. The defeat marked the end of organised resistance in the region, paving the way for the establishment of Roman rule.<\/p>\n Legacy and Impact <\/strong>The Roman conquest of the Silures had a profound impact on the region. The establishment of Roman forts and settlements brought about significant changes in the social and economic structures of South Wales. The Romanisation of the area included the introduction of new agricultural practices, trade networks, and infrastructure development. However, the legacy of the Silurian resistance endured. The stories of their defiance became part of the cultural memory of the region, symbolising the struggle for freedom against a powerful empire. The rugged landscape that once served as a battleground for the Silure is now dotted with remnants of Roman forts and roads, serving as a testament to the tumultuous history of Roman-Silurian conflicts.<\/p>\n Conclusion <\/strong>The battles between the Romans and the Silures in South Wales represent a significant chapter in the history of Roman Britain. The fierce resistance of the Silures, despite the might of the Roman Empire, exemplifies the enduring spirit of the native tribes. While the Roman conquest ultimately succeeded, the legacy of the Silurian resistance continues to be remembered as a symbol of courage and determination in the face of overwhelming odds.<\/p>\n Main references \u201cSearching for the Silures\u201d by Ray Howell & Wikipedi<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tony Hodge<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n ARTICLES of GENERAL INTEREST HOW THE SILURIAN TRIBE OF SOUTH WALES TOOK ON THE ROMANS A Struggle for Dominance The Roman invasion of Britain in 43 AD marked the beginning of a series of campaigns that would extend Roman control over the island. Among the fiercest opponents the Romans encountered were the Silurians, a tribe inhabiting what is now South […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[437,228],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6cWjO-4ue","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5692,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=5692","url_meta":{"origin":17250,"position":0},"title":"Parc Cwm Darran","author":"Alan Williams","date":"1st April 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Parc Cwm Darran. Parc Cwm Darran lies at the site of the Ogilvie colliery where coal was mined from 1923 until 1975. We started by walking along the Ogilvie lake. There are a few sculptures to the side of the path and numerous pieces of outdoor gym equipment (the Ogilvie\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Footsteps"","block_context":{"text":"Footsteps","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=38"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/Picture3-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":424,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=424","url_meta":{"origin":17250,"position":1},"title":"Bargoed","author":"Wenvoeadmin","date":"19th April 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"We started the Bargoed walk in the Pengam area. Soon after starting, we came across a very tall sculpture in a small public garden. The 40ft statue, which is called the Lady of the Stream, was erected in 2009. It stands on a former ash-tip, which was reclaimed as a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Footsteps"","block_context":{"text":"Footsteps","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=38"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":12187,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=12187","url_meta":{"origin":17250,"position":2},"title":"Llanharan and Caerwent","author":"Alan Williams","date":"1st September 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0Llanharan Parking at Llanharan station we headed uphill at the High Corner pub, turning right along a terrace to a large field. We walked through wood-land and passed a Christmas tree farm emerging onto open moorland. Out from the cover of trees, we realised it was raining and donned waterproofs;\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Footsteps"","block_context":{"text":"Footsteps","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=38"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Picture9.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":14057,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=14057","url_meta":{"origin":17250,"position":3},"title":"Saint David – the Patron Saint of Wales","author":"Alan Williams","date":"14th March 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Dewi Sant - Nawddsant Cymru Saint David - the Patron Saint of Wales \u00a0 Dewi was the Bishop of Mynyw in South West Wales - what today is called St David\u2019s - in the 6th Century. The date of his birth is not clear but it is generally accepted that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Readers Articles of Interest"","block_context":{"text":"Readers Articles of Interest","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=228"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1413,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=1413","url_meta":{"origin":17250,"position":4},"title":"Offa’s Dyke","author":"Alan Williams","date":"1st November 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"WHO WAS KING OFFA AND WHAT WAS HIS DYKE FOR? You have probably heard about Offa\u2019s Dyke \u2013 but do you know who King Offa was and why he had a dyke built? Well - Offa was the King of the Mercians, a warrior tribe from central England, from 747\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Wenvoe History Group"","block_context":{"text":"Wenvoe History Group","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=40"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":6530,"url":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?p=6530","url_meta":{"origin":17250,"position":5},"title":"Llanthony","author":"Alan Williams","date":"28th August 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Llanthony We parked at Llanthony Priory, in the care of Cadw and freely open to the public. The hamlet of Llanthony nestles in the heart of the beautiful Vale of Ewyas. This is the easternmost valley of the Black mountains, described by Gerald of Wales in 1188 as \u2018encircled on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Footsteps"","block_context":{"text":"Footsteps","link":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/?cat=38"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wenvoe.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Picture7.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17250"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=17250"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17250\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17253,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17250\/revisions\/17253"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=17250"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=17250"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/wenvoe.org.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=17250"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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