Roman conquest of Anglesey


The Roman conquest of Anglesey refers to two invasions of the island that occurred during the early decades of the Roman conquest of Britain in the 1st Century CE. Beginning in AD 43 under Emperor Claudius, the Roman legions supported by axillaries had progressively subjugated British tribes. Anglesey, which was known as Mona by the Romans, was an important religious centre for Celtic druids and its peoples. The Romans first invaded the island in around 60/61 CE and again in 77 CE.
Although the only written record of these events is in the Annals written by the Roman historian, Tacitus, archaeologists uncovered the first 1st century fortlet near Cemlyn Bay - on the northern coast of the island - in 2015. They believe similar camps, from the time of these Roman invasions, will be discovered.

First invasion, 60 CE

Tacitus was the son-in-law of Gnaeus Julius Agricola, who was probably present on the campaign. Cassius Dio's History of Rome makes a brief mention, as does Tacitus in De vita et moribus Iulii Agricolae. Roman forces may have only reached the marshes around Llangefni before they were recalled from the island due to the outbreak of Boudica's rebellion.
Tacitus writes:

Second invasion, 77 CE

The second invasion of Mona was undertaken by Agricola, the Provincial Roman Governor of Britannia, in late 77. It was part of his campaign to subjugate the Ordovices, a British tribe that held lands across modern-day Gwynedd.
Tacitus describes the invasion in his book De vita et moribus Iulii Agricolae.