Caratacus's last battle facts for kids

In 50 AD, a very important battle took place in Britain. It was the final fight for Caratacus, a brave British leader. He had been fighting against the powerful Roman Empire since 43 AD. The Roman army, led by Publius Ostorius Scapula, won this battle. They captured Caratacus, who was then taken to Rome. There, he gave a famous speech to Emperor Claudius, who decided to spare his life.

Where Did Caratacus's Last Battle Happen?

The exact place of this battle is still a mystery. The Roman writer Tacitus said it was in the land of the Ordovices. This was a British tribe living in what is now central and northern Wales.

What the Area Was Like

Tacitus described the battle site as having a river that was easy to cross in some places. There were also tall hills nearby. These hills had very steep, rocky sides, making them hard to climb. But there were also some gentler paths. Roman soldiers could use these paths to climb up, even while staying close together in a special formation. This formation was called a testudo formation, where soldiers held their shields over their heads like a turtle's shell.

Possible Battle Locations

Many places in Britain claim to be the battle site. However, none of these claims perfectly match Tacitus's description.

• Some people think the river was the Severn.
• The hill fort on Caer Caradoc Hill in Shropshire is one suggested spot. Its name even sounds like Caratacus!
• Another idea is British Camp in the Malvern Hills.
• A place called Cefn Carnedd near Caersws also has old earthworks that suggest a battle.

But the Severn River is too far from the Malvern Hills to fit the description. And you can't see the Severn from Caer Caradoc Hill. So, the true location remains unknown.

How the Battle Unfolded

The Roman general Ostorius Scapula saw the British army on a strong hill. He didn't want to attack straight away because it looked very difficult. But his Roman soldiers had been chasing Caratacus for years. They were ready for a big fight to end it all.

The Roman Attack

Ostorius noticed the paths leading up the hills. He sent his soldiers across the river where it was shallow. The Britons threw many spears and rocks at the Romans. But the Roman soldiers used their testudo formation to protect themselves. They broke down the stone walls the Britons had built.

Once inside the British defenses, the Romans fought hard. It was a very bloody battle. The Britons tried to retreat to the hilltops. But the Romans kept attacking. Both the Roman auxiliary troops (soldiers from other lands helping Rome) and the main legionaries pushed forward.

The British Defeat

The British warriors usually didn't wear heavy armor or helmets. They couldn't stand against the well-trained and armored Roman army. The Britons eventually broke and ran away. The Roman soldiers chased them closely, making sure they couldn't regroup.

What Happened After the Battle?

Caratacus himself managed to escape the battle. He fled north, hoping to find safety with the Brigantes, another British tribe. But the Brigantian queen, Cartimandua, was friendly with Rome. She needed Rome's support to keep her power. So, she captured Caratacus and handed him over to the Romans in chains.

Caratacus in Rome

Caratacus was now famous, even far beyond Britain. He and his family became the main attraction in a huge parade through the streets of Rome. This was a Roman triumph, a special celebration for a great military victory. Emperor Claudius himself watched the parade.

A Surprising Outcome

Normally, prisoners of war in a Roman triumph would be executed at the end of the ceremony. But Caratacus did something amazing. He gave a powerful speech to Emperor Claudius. His words were so moving that Claudius decided to spare Caratacus and his family. This was a very unusual act of mercy for a captured enemy leader.

The Roman Senators compared Caratacus's defeat to some of Rome's greatest victories. General Ostorius Scapula was given special honors for defeating him.