Battle of Camulodunum Battle of Camulodunum The Battle of Camulodunum, also known as the Massacre of the Ninth Legion, (60 or 61 AD) was the major military victory of the Iceni and their allies over an organised Roman army during the revolt of Boudica against the Roman occupation of Britain. A large vexillation of the "Legio IX Hispana" were destroyed by the rebels. Attempting to relieve the besieged "colonia" of Camulodunum (Colchester, Essex), legionaries of the Legio IX Hispana led by Quintus Petillius Cerialis, were attacked by a horde of British tribes, led by the Iceni. Possibly 80% of the Roman foot-soldiers were
Camulodunum had been under Cunobelinus’ sons’ control surrendered without further bloodshed, Claudius accepting their submission in Camulodunon. As the stronghold of a major tribe in the south-east, Camulodunum held strategic importance. A Roman legionary fortress or "castrum", the first permanent legionary fortress to be built in Britain, was established within the confines of Camulodunon (which was latinised as "Camulodunum") following the successful invasion in 43, and was home to the Twentieth Legion. A smaller fort was built against the Iron Age earthworks close to the Gosbecks high-status farmstead, and was home to the Ala Primae Thracum ("First Wing of Thracians", a