The Antiques Centre York The Roman Invasion of Britain.

Roman Invasion Of Britain Ref: RomanBritain
The Roman Invasion of Britain.

We are never likely to know exactly what prompted Caesars first expedition to Britain .In his own writings he does not say whether he aimed at conquest or punitive action. He does however; state that in most of his Gallic campaigns he found British contingents fighting against him. The invasion of Britain was certainly a wise political move on the part of Caesar for it gave him good reason to retain his commission and avoid recall at the instigation of his opponents.

In late August 55 BC Caesar landed in Kent. He came with only a small force, possibly because he recognized that it was quite late in the year and there would be no time for anything further than a reconnaissance and a show of force. After several engagements the British tribes sought peace. Ancient Armies were rarely able to mount campaigns in the winter and after one month-with the rains setting in -Caesar returned to Gaul taking hostages with him.

In July 54 BC Caesar made his second expedition to Britain. This time he was better equipped having 800 vessels, on board of which five Legions and two thousand horsemen. He landed, unopposed, at Ryde. Caesars first major engagement was against the Catuvellauni tribe led by Cassivelaunus. In this Caesar was helped by the Trinovantes, and other tribes who had old scores to settle with the Catuvellauni. After storming Verulam, the stronghold of the British king, Caesar accepted the offers of peace made by Cassivelaunus. He left Britain with further hostages and imposed a tax, which was to be paid yearly to Rome.

Concern about Britain remained, but it was not until May AD 43 that the Emperor Claudius mounted a full-scale invasion. The main force landed at Richborough in Kent and consisted of four Legions; Legio II Augusta, Legio I X Hispania. Legio XIV Germina, and Legio XX Valera.

Each Legion was a fully self -contained fighting unit comprising of nine cohorts of 480 men each, with a leading cohort of 800men. Together with about 19,000 additional auxiliaries, the total force numbered 40,000 men .The aim on this occasion was to turn the whole of southern Britain into a Roman province, and this was achieved within four years.

The General of the Army of the Invasion and the first Governor of Roman Britain was Aulus Plautius. He made terms with the Atrebates and Icenni tribes, creating client kingdoms, other tribes which were defeated in battle, were disarmed. In order to consolidate the new province, a system of roads, forts, and fortresses were set up. Colonial (settlements) were established in Colchester, (AD 49) Lincoln, Gloucester and York. Verulamium (St Albans) and London became Municipal (towns) Within a few years over two dozen Settlements had been created and many other sites had been established.