Gaius Suetonius Paulinus

General in North Africa

Governor of Britannia

  • In 58 CE, Paulinus was made Governor of Britannia.

Invasion of Anglesey

  • In 60 BCE, Paulinus successfully invaded Anglesey, with the Legio XX Valeria Victrix.
  • However, taking advantage of Paulinus’ invasion, the southeastern Tribes of Britannia organised a Revolt under the Iceni.

Boudicca's Revolt (60-61 CE)

Battle of Watling Street (60-61 CE)

  • The two armies met at an unknown point on Watling Street. Paulinus had two Legions, Legio XX Valeria Victrix and the Legio XIV Gemina giving him 10,000 men and their Auxiliaries. Queen Boudicca had either 100,000 or 230,000 warriors depending on different sources.
  • Paulinus used the Wedge Formation Tactic despite being outnumbered 10 to 1. The result was a rout and the Romans massacred the Britons and their followers.
  • The Battle marked the end of resistance to Roman Rule in southern Britain, although the Brigantes in the North continued to resist until 80 CE.

Removal from Britannia

  • Paulinus continued to oppress the Britons so harshly that Classicianus, the Procurator of Britannia, feared a new revolt and informed Nero. Nero then sent his Freedman Polyclitus to investigate who found a reason to replace Paulinus with a new Governor, Turpilianus.
  • Paulinus was recalled to Rome.

Consul in Rome (66-69 CE)

Year of the Four Emperors (69 CE)

  • After Nero‘s death, Paulinus became a General under Otho in 69 CE, but lost the battle to Vitellius who pardoned him.
  • Paulinus disappears from the record after this.

 

Wroxeter on Watling Street

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