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