Roman Britain: Conquest, Rule, and Decline

Roman Britain: Conquest and Early Rule

Early Roman Expeditions

• Julius Caesar: Campaigns in 55 BC and 54 BC.
• Caesar was murdered in 44 BC.
• Indirect Romanization: Achieved through treaties, tribute, trade, elite exchange of luxury goods, and Roman education for chiefs’ sons.

The Claudian Invasion of 43 AD

• The invasion occurred in 43 AD under Emperor Claudius (in office since 41 AD, succeeding Caligula).
• The lowlands (approximately half of modern England) were easily invaded within four years of campaigning; three client kingdoms were respected.

Resistance Against Roman Rule

Boudicca's Rebellion (60-61 AD)

• Boudicca was the wife of the client king of the Iceni in what is now Norfolk.
• When her husband died, she was flogged and her daughters raped.
• Her rebellion (60-61 AD) led to the sack of Colchester, London, and St Albans, but ultimately ended in defeat.

Continued Resistance and Northern Limits

• It took Rome over 40 years to occupy all of Great Britain, excluding the Scottish Highlands.
• Key battles included Mons Graupius (AD 83) and the loss of a legion (AD 117).
• Most of Scotland could not be held, leading to a porous but fortified frontier.

Hadrian's Wall: Northern Frontier

• Built between 122-127 AD.
• Approximately 4 meters high and 118 kilometers long (though not much of it remains today).
• It marked the northern limit of Britannia, although Roman forts existed north of the wall.

Romanization of Britain: Cultural and Economic Impact

Cultural Transformation and Elite Emulation

Local elites quickly emulated Roman lifestyles, building villas complete with gardens, courtyards, statues, and mosaics.

An example is Fishbourne Roman Palace, built around 75 AD in the village of Fishbourne, West Sussex. This large palace was constructed on the site of a Roman army supply base established during the Claudian invasion of 43 AD. The rectangular palace surrounded formal gardens, the northern half of which has been reconstructed.

Economic Integration and Infrastructure

The Roman Empire functioned as a vast economic space, characterized by a common currency, extensive road networks, a postal service, lighthouses, and ports.

The End of Roman Britain and the Age of Migrations

Key Events of the Decline

• The 4th century AD saw an increase in raids from Ireland, Scotland, and Germanic North Sea coastal territories. Cities were walled, and coastal forts were built in response.
• In 410 AD, Britain was left without regular military defense as its legions were withdrawn.
• In 449 AD, a Romano-British warlord or king invited Saxons to settle as mercenaries.
• This period marked the beginning of the Teutonic invasion.

Nuances of the Transition

• In some Romano-British towns, urban life continued on the same model until the 7th century (e.g., buildings were repaired, baths remained in use).
• It took time for the newcomers to consolidate control of the best land; Britain would eventually be divided into three cultural zones: Celtic, Pictish, and Germanic.

King Arthur: Legend and Historiography

• A legendary British leader, associated with the late 5th to early 6th century.
• Mythologised in medieval romances and on film.
• Yet, it was Arthur’s enemies who were considered the founders of the English nation in 17th to 20th-century historiography.