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In the years after 70 AD, new fortresses, each capable of housing a legion of 5,600 men, were established along the Welsh borders, most notably at Chester and Caerleon.

In Wales, part of the military zone, there were at least 30 auxiliary forts linked by straight roads and situated a day's march from each other. As many as 30,000 troops were stationed in Wales where they often had to quell resistance fighting.

The forts were not all fully manned for long, as most of the people of Wales came to accept Roman rule. Particularly, in South Wales, the Silurians appear to have gradually adapted to the Roman presence and offered little trouble from the second century.

The exception seems to have been the Ordovices of the centre and the North West. In the Forum in Rome today, there is a vast mosaic map of the Roman Empire. The territory of the Ordovices is not shown as part of it.

Although there was a continued military presence in the area, the lack of remains of villas indicates that the Romans did not enjoy a peaceful ride.

This can be compared to the evidence of Roman strongholds in South East Wales. The Silurians, despite their initial challenges to Roman authority, came to adopt the settlers' habits.

Caerleon, perhaps the best place in Europe in which to appreciate the layout of a Roman fort, was not fully garrisoned until after about AD 120.