Roman Dorset
By Oscar Winsey
Prior to arrival of Roman legions, the area was inhabited by a Celtic Iron Age tribe known as Durotriges, who were a farming community and as far as we know were illiterate. Their kingdom stretched from the Avon in the east to the Wylley in the north and the Axe in the west. They were capable of smelting Iron and made distinctive black pottery.
Caesar visited in 55 BC and returned in 54 BC but due to problems at home returned to Rome. For 97 years the tribes in Britain were left in peace. Claudius needed a military victory to gain support of his army so decided to invade Britain and with four legions; 5000 men in each plus auxiliaries, archers, slingers and cavalry, the total force was about 45000. They landed in Kent in 43 AD. After bloody battles it took about 15 years to subjugate the Durotriges. Evidence found at Hod Hill and Maiden Castle found bodies hacked to death and killed by ballista bolts. Digs showed that Hamworthy was used as a port with a barracks on the water meadows by the present day Wimbourne by-pass and a road joining the two. Vespasian was the Roman general given the task of invading.
