Roman Britain
Sienna ReuterNick Quarton
Previous Roman Invasions
• Julius Caesar twice invaded Britain–55 BC–54 BC
• Both attempts were abandoned
Reasons for Invading Britain
• Political timing
–Claudius was a new emperor
–Britain was transitioning between leaders
• Natural resources and trade
Emperor Claudius’ Invasion of Britain
• Began in 43 AD
• Happened gradually
• Began with over 42,000 soldiers
Landing in Britain
• Commanded by Aulus Plautius
• Set sail from Boulogne
• Landed in Richborough
Conquest of Britain
• Established a supply point in Richborough
• Appointed Aulus Plautius as governor
– ruled for 4 years (until 47 AD)
• Expanded north
• Conquered Britain with relative ease
Conquest of Britain
Conquest of Britain
• Established a supply point in Richborough
• Appointed Aulus Plautius as governor
– ruled for 4 years (until 47 AD)
• Expanded north
• Conquered Britain with relative ease
Conquest of Britain
• Established a supply point in Richborough
• Appointed Aulus Plautius as governor
– ruled for 4 years (until 47 AD)
• Expanded north
• Conquered Britain with relative ease
Hadrian’s Wall
• 73 miles (117 kilometers) long
• Prevented northern attacks
• Built in 6 years
Hadrian’s Wall
Administration
• Involved defeated leaders in decisions
• Did not force many changes
Towns
• Necessary for sophisticated civilization
• Built on low ground
• Grid layout for streets
Public Baths• Every town
• Attended daily
• Served as
–health club
–healing spa
–meeting place
Public Entertainment• Theaters–plays– religious
gatherings
• Amphitheatres– gladiator combat–executions
Roads
• 6000 miles (9600 kilometers)
• Layered and raised
Villas• Agricultural homes
• Housed– landowner– family– overseers– laborers
Reasons for Leaving
• Occupied Britain for 326 years
• Increase in barbarian attacks
• Troops were needed elsewhere
• Economic issues
http://www.britannia.com/history/romantime.html
http://www.icons.org.uk/theicons/collection/hadrian-s-wall/iconfolder.2006-02-24.2691242264/the-roman-conquest-of-
britain-finished
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ac71
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/questions_01.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Britain
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_conquest_of_Britain