TIMELINE OF THE... ROMAN INVASIONS OF BRITAIN

Over centuries the empire's borders expanded across the prized islands, reaching as far north as Scotland but always facing fierce tribal resistance

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4th – 1st millennium BCE

A RICH RESOURCE 01

Britain, especially the Cornish peninsula, becomes vital for Europe’s supply of tin, which is necessary for the creation of weapons and other equipment during the Bronze Age. Isolated from the continent by the channel, Britain’s tribes nonetheless conduct trade and build diplomacy with their neighbours to the south.

55-54 BCE

JULIUS CAESAR ARRIVES

Julius Caesar launches two punitive raids against tribes in Britain. Cassivellaunus leads an alliance of tribes against Caesar but is defeated and surrenders. The Trinovantes in south-eastern Britain (the most powerful tribe) are set up as a client kingdom under Roman rule.

43 CE

CLAUDIUS CONQUERS 02

Emperor Claudius completes a full invasion of Britain, with the purpose of conquering the entire region. Including four Roman legions – the 2nd Augusta, 9th Hispana, 14th Gemina and the 20th Valeria Victrix – the invasion forces land on the south-east coast, likely Richborough. Though British tribes attempt to repel the Romans, the conquest is swift and the Trinovantes capital of Camulodunum (Colchester) is taken and later turned into a major Roman power base in the region.

50-51 CE