Vespasian, upon the accession of Claudius to…

Vespasian, upon the accession of Claudius to the imperial throne in 41, had been appointed legate of Legio II Augusta, stationed in Germania, thanks to the influence of the Imperial freedman Narcissus.

Vespasian and the II Augusta participate in 43 in the Roman invasion of Britain, and he distinguishes himself under the overall command of Aulus Plautius.

After participating in the crucial early battles on the rivers Medway and Thames, he is sent to reduce the south west, penetrating through the modern counties of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Dorset, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall with the probable objectives of securing the south coast ports and harbors along with the tin mines of Cornwall and the silver and lead mines of Somerset.

Vespasian marches from Noviomagus Reginorum (Chichester) to subdue the hostile Durotriges and Dumnonii tribes, …