Battle of Mons Graupius
The Battle of Mons Graupius, fought around 84 CE, marked a significant conflict between Roman forces led by Gnaeus Julius Agricola and the Caledonian tribes under their leader Calgacus in what is now northern Scotland. Approximately 30,000 Caledonians assembled on the hill known as Mons Graupius, where they utilized their height, strength, and traditional weapons, including long swords and circular shields, to confront the Romans. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Roman legions achieved victory through a disciplined formation, employing their long shields and short swords effectively, along with a strategic cavalry flank attack. The battle's outcome played a crucial role in Agricola's campaign to expand Roman influence in Scotland. However, following the battle, Agricola was recalled by Emperor Domitian, leaving the Roman conquest incomplete. Although the Romans established forts and roads in the region, they shifted to a more defensive posture in the following century. The battle remains a symbol of the resistance of the Scottish tribes against Roman expansion and is often commemorated in discussions of historical Scottish identity.
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Battle of Mons Graupius
Type of action: Ground battle in the Roman conquest of Britain
Date: 84 c.e.
Location: Perthshire in northern Scotland, in the Grampian mountains
Combatants: Roman forces versus Caledonian League
Principal commanders:Roman, Gnaeus Julius Agricola (40-93 c.e.); Caledonian, Calgacus (Galgacus)
Result: Romans routed and killed 10,000 Caledonians with only 360 Roman casualties
The Roman legions led by Gnaeus Julius Agricola pursued the Caledonians and their leader Calgacus into a region now known as the Grampian Mountains in northern Scotland. The exact location of the climactic battle is not known with certainty. About 30,000 Caledonians gathered on the side of a hill known as Mons Graupius. They vastly outnumbered the Romans, who faced them at the base of the hill. The Caledonians were tall, often red-haired people who fought with great individual strength and bravery, using their long swords and small circular shields. Their charioteers darted back and forth, stopping to discharge spears and other missiles. The Romans prevailed by covering themselves with their long heavy shields, advancing relentlessly, and stabbing with short, thick swords. The rout was completed by a flank attack of the Roman cavalry.
Significance
Agricola had sought to subdue the whole of Scotland and add it to the Roman Empire, but he was recalled in 84 c.e. by the Emperor Domitian before the conquest was complete. However, a series of forts and a road system were built. During the century after Mons Graupius, the Romans abandoned their offensive strategy in favor of a defensive one.
Bibliography
Hanson, W. S. Agricola and the Conquest of the North. London: Batsford, 1991.
Maxwell, Gordon S. A Battle Lost: Romans and Caledonians at Mons Graupius. Edinburgh, Scotland: Edinburgh University, 1990.
Salway, Peter. The Oxford Illustrated History of Roman Britain. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993.