The Silures – Caratacus and the Struggle for Wales

History & Finds The Silures: Unbending in Wales

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The Silures were a Celtic people in south Wales. Tacitus describes them as dark-haired and warlike – and especially hard to subdue.

Caratacus's last stand

After the Roman conquest of southern Britain the British leader Caratacus fled to the Silures and Ordovices and waged guerrilla war against Rome from Wales. Only after his capture (through the betrayal of the Brigantes) did the resistance break.

Tougher than any legion

Even afterwards the Silures fought on; a Roman governor is said to have threatened to wipe them out entirely – which only strengthened their defiance. Only Frontinus finally subdued them. Their capital later became the Roman Venta Silurum (Caerwent).

"Neither harshness nor mercy changed the Silures."after Tacitus, Annals 12 (public domain, own translation)

What is documented: Silures in south Wales, Caratacus's resistance from Wales, his capture and the long Silurian war (Tacitus, Annals 12); Venta Silurum/Caerwent.

What is interpretation: Tacitus's image of the "dark-haired Silures" and their origin (he suspects Iberian roots) is ancient speculation, not proof. Caratacus himself was not of the Silures but found refuge with them.

The Silures stand for Celtic resistance in Wales. Continue with the Ordovices and Brigantes.

Glanz & Gravur — From our workshop: Celtic-Germanic motifs on natural slate, laser-engraved. To the shop →

Sources & literature

Tacitus, Annals 12, Agricola; quote public domain (own translation).

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The Silures: Unbending in Wales

Caratacus's last stand

Tougher than any legion

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