Conquest of Britain: 55 BCE - CE 43
Julius Caesar
- Considered invasion of Britain in 56 BCE
- Two campaigns
- First in August of 55 BCE
- Took 10,000 soldiers
- 500 cavalry
- Lands first at Dover
- Considered unsuitable
- Seeks new location
- Lands at Walmer beach
- Some ships damaged
- Ships with cavalry prevented from landing
- Fought battle around Roman camp at beach
- Britons attack fleet
- Attack legions sent out for supplies
- Romans victorious
- Unable to follow up victory without cavalry
- Left before winter months
- Result was to establish Roman interests in Britain
- Caesar acted beyond his authority
- Thanked by the Senate
- Gained approval for further actions
- Returned to Gaul
- Began preparations for 2nd invasion
- Built special transport vessels
- Larger in size
- Designed for amphibious warfare
- 600 built by spring 54 BCE
- Increased number of warships
- Second in July 54 BCE
- Took large force with him
- 5 legions
- 2,000 cavalry
- Large amount of supplies
- Total of 800 ships
- Accompanied by merchant vessels
- Marched inland and captured fortified town at Canterbury
- Marched across the Thames
- Cassivellaunius
- Leader of tribe north of Thames
- Britons rallied around him
- Area controlled
- Southern Essex
- Middlesex
- Hertfordshire
- British alliance of tribes collapsed
- Trinovantes 1st sued for peace
- Caesar captures stronghold of Cassivellaunius
- Cassivellaunius sued for peace
- Caesar leaves in mid-Sept. for Gaul
- Conditions imposed on Britons
- Took hostages
- Established a fixed tribute to be paid
- Expanded Roman involvement in the politics of Britain
- Cassivellaunius forbidden from attacking eastern neighbors
- Does not return to Britain
- Uncertain if planned to return
- Revolts in Gaul
- In late 54 and 53 BCE
- Prevent further actions
- Afterwards conditions in Rome demanded his attention
- Reason for invasion
- Aid being sent to Gauls on the mainland
- Economic: merchant ships with Caesar in 54 BCE
- Military and political glory of Caesar
- Help to secure mainland Gaul
- Britons feared power of Rome and sent aid to mainland
After time of Julius Caesar
- Period of rival tribal leaders
- Some seek aid of Rome
- Others maintain independence
- Increase in trade
- Exports
- Agricultural products
- Raw materials
- Slaves
- Dogs
- Imports
- Manufactured goods
- Luxury items
- Fine pottery
- Wine
- Breakdown in diplomatic relations between Rome and tribal leaders
Internet
Caesar's Invasion
The Roman Army