Roman Invasion and Settlement in Britain
What was the Roman Empire ?
The Roman Empire was the largest empire of the ancient world. Its capital was Rome, and its empire was based in the Mediterranean area. The Empire started in 27 BC, when Octavian became the Emperor Augustus. It fell in 476 AD.
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When did the Romans invade Britain?
The Romans attempted to invade twice before they were successful on their third attempt
• In 54-55BC Julius Caesar tried to invade but failed.
• In AD43, ordered by Emperor Claudius, a big Roman army landed on the beaches in Kent.
• Over the next year it battled inland, storming through hillforts and conquering anyone who stood in their way.
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Why did the Romans invade ?
Natural resources: Julius Caesar wrote, "The Britons have a huge number of cattle, they use gold coins or iron bars as their money, and produce tin and iron."
Trade: Some British tribes (Atrebates) developed political and trading relationships with Rome importing Roman wine, olive oil etc.
Power and Glory: A successful invasion would bring glory and popularity. Romans believed in their right to conquer non-Roman peoples. Gods had gifted them the known world it was their right and duty to rule it all in their ‘civilised’ manner.
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What was life like in Pre-Roman Britain ?
Celtic tribes lived in small settlements with round houses made from mud, straw, or wood.
No towns or proper roads.
Small settlements were surrounded by ditches and wooden fences
Many different tribes throughout Britannia fought for land
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How did Romans conquer Britain ?
The Romans were successful because they had new weapons, like huge catapults called ballistas.
Claudius arrived with a troop of war elephants.
Roman army were very disciplined and organised
It took around 30 years for the Romans to control most of southern Britain
Romans built fortifications and then villages, towns and cities
Roman’s integrated on Celt’s laws and traditions into their laws.
Romans built a network on roads to link the
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What resistance was there to the Roman Invasion and Settlement ?
Caratacus (also spelled Caractacus) was king/ chieftain of the Catuvellauni tribe, who led the British resistance to the Roman conquest. Led the British fight for 8 years.
Defeated at The Battle of Caer Caradoc, 50 AD, possibly in Shropshire or Powys near River Severn
Taken in chains to Rome, as a war prize. Gave famous speech to the Roman senate. "If you want to rule the world, does it follow that everyone else welcomes enslavement?" was pardoned and allowed to live in peace inside Rome.
Boudica : is known for being a warrior queen of the Iceni people, who lived in what is now East Anglia, England. In 60–61 CE
She led the Iceni and other peoples in a revolt against Roman rule. Forces massacred some 70,000 Romans and their supporters, they were ultimately defeated
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How did the Romans change Britain ?
Roads before the Romans – there were just muddy tracks. over 16,000km (10,000 miles)
Built towns and cities- grid layout
Word ‘Britain’ came from the Romans.
Christianity : the native Britons were pagans. In A.D313, the Emperor Constantine declared that Christians were free to worship in peace. By A.D391, Christianity official Roman religion.
Reading and or writing – written history, literature and laws.
Latin language , democracy
What can we tell about Roman life from a study of a local Roman city ? ( Study of Wroxeter Roman Village - Shropshire ) Viriconium (Wroxeter) - once the fourth largest city in Roman Britain. Archaeological remains just outside Shrewsbury Shropshire of Market Hall, Forum, Bath House and Fortress