07-11-2011, 02:12 AM
Quote:,so many forts,fortlets,marching camps have been discovered both here in Devon and Cornwall,it makes one wonder what was really going on,what where II AVG doing in the early years and the auxiliaries,of who i have no knowledge, that took over these locations, must have had their work cut out manning all these stations,especially after II AVG left for Gloucestershire in mid 60AD.
Picture this:
You land in a strange land, full of 'savages'. You have no real idea of the local topography, the population or their military strengths/weaknesses. What do you do?
I would suggest a "reconnaissance in strength". Tacitus tells us exactly this. The legio II Augusta was sent off, under Vespasian, to see what there was in the south-west of the island (they were not even aware that it WAS an island at that time). He (Tacitus) says that they fought a number of battles and 'captured' 20 'oppida' (towns - maybe?).
When you get about as far as your can (Exeter - Isca Dumnoniorum), you build a legionary base and then a series of fortlets to guard your l-of-c. These you leave under the control of your second line troops. Once things settle down, you move your shock troops (the legion), first back to Gloucester and then to Isca at Caerleon. This fortress becomes one of the three permanent legionary garrisons in Britannia. It also acts as a pivotal fortress for the auxiliary forts into the South West as well as those in South Wales as far west as Carmarthen. (You do the same with Chester with legio XX, but here the fortress line terminates at Caernarfon - Segontium).
Not stupid, those Romans!
Mike Thomas
(Caratacus)
visne scire quod credam? credo orbes volantes exstare.
