The Ancient History of Roman Britain
Summary
TLDRThis World History Encyclopedia video explores the Roman Empire's relationship with Britain from 43 to 410 CE. It covers Julius Caesar's initial contact, the full-scale invasion under Emperor Claudius, and the establishment of Roman rule. The video details significant events like Boudicca's revolt, the construction of Hadrian's Wall, and the eventual withdrawal of Roman forces due to internal and external pressures. It invites viewers to contemplate how Britain's development might have differed without Roman conquest.
Takeaways
- 🏛️ Britain was known to the Romans as early as the 4th Century BCE, but there was no direct contact until Julius Caesar's expeditions in 55 BCE and 54 BCE.
- 🤝 Julius Caesar established diplomatic relations with some tribal leaders but did not leave any permanent Roman presence in Britain.
- 🏰 The Roman conquest of Britain began in earnest under Emperor Claudius in 43 CE, led by General Aulus Plautius.
- ⚔️ The Roman Legions faced resistance, including the famous Boudicca's Revolt in 60 or 61 CE, which resulted in the destruction of several cities before being suppressed.
- 🛣️ Roman governance in Britain included the construction of forts, roads, and administrative centers, which helped integrate the region into the empire.
- 🏙️ London was rebuilt as an administrative capital with significant Roman infrastructure, reflecting the city's importance within the province.
- 🏰 Hadrian's Wall was constructed across the north of Britain in 122 CE, marking the boundary between Roman Britain and the lands of the Picts.
- 👑 The Roman Empire's political instability, including the Crisis of the Third Century, impacted Britain, leading to periods of autonomy and reintegration.
- 🏰 The Antonine Wall was built in the north around 140 CE but was abandoned by the 160s, with Hadrian's Wall becoming the permanent northern boundary.
- 🛡️ Roman Britain faced continuous threats from Saxon, Pict, and Irish invasions, which eventually led to the withdrawal of Roman troops and officials by 410 CE.
- 🏡 The Roman influence on Britain was profound, with many Britons adopting Roman customs, dress, and religious beliefs, leaving a lasting legacy.
Q & A
How long was Britain a province of the Roman Empire?
-Britain was a province of the Roman Empire for over 300 years, from 43 CE to 410 CE.
What was the first recorded contact between the Romans and Britain?
-The first recorded contact was in the 4th Century BCE through stories told by Phoenician and Greek Sailors who traded there for tin.
Why did Julius Caesar cross the channel and land in Britain in 55 BCE?
-Julius Caesar crossed the channel and landed in Britain in 55 BCE to establish diplomatic relations with the leaders of some of the tribes, but he was not equipped for full-scale engagement and withdrew without building fortifications or assigning a garrison.
Who was the Roman Emperor when Britain was first brought under direct Roman control?
-Britain was brought under direct Roman control during the reign of Emperor Claudius in 43 CE.
What was the significance of the Battle of Medway?
-The Battle of Medway was significant because it was where the Roman Legions landed in southern Britain and defeated the Catuvellauni decisively, marking the beginning of the Roman conquest of Britain.
Who led the famous uprising against the Romans known as Boudicca's Revolt?
-Boudicca, the wife of King Prasutagus of the Iceni, led the uprising against the Romans after her husband's death and the subsequent mistreatment by the Romans.
What was the outcome of Boudicca's Revolt?
-Boudicca's Revolt resulted in the destruction of the cities of Colchester, London, and Saint Albans before she was defeated by the Roman governor Gaius Suetonius Paulinus at the Battle of Watling Street. Boudicca is said to have committed suicide to avoid capture.
Why did the Romans build Hadrian's Wall?
-Hadrian's Wall was built across the north of Britain to divide the province of Roman Britain from the land of the Picts and to consolidate and strengthen the boundaries.
What was the impact of the crisis of the third century on the Roman Empire and Britain?
-The crisis of the third century led to rampant inflation, economic depression, invasions of Rome's provinces, and rapid succession of emperors. It resulted in the temporary secession of Britain into the Gallic Empire and later the restoration of Britain to the Roman Empire.
Why did Rome eventually withdraw its troops from Britain?
-Rome began withdrawing troops from Britain in the 4th century to deal with invasions and threats to the empire's boundaries by Barbarian tribes. By 410 CE, Roman troops and magistrates had been completely withdrawn, leaving the people of Britain to fend for themselves.
Outlines
🏛️ Roman Contact with Britain
This section introduces the Roman presence in Britain, starting from 43 to 410 CE. It highlights Julius Caesar's initial expeditions in 55 and 54 BCE, establishing diplomatic relations with local tribes but without significant military presence. Rome's first full-scale invasion began under Emperor Claudius in 43 CE, establishing control over tribes like the Katavilani, influenced by Rome through trade and power balance.
⚔️ Claudius' Invasion and Tribal Uprisings
Emperor Claudius' invasion of Britain is detailed, including the defeat of British tribes such as the Katavilani by Roman general Aulus Plautius. It describes the subsequent conquest of tribes by generals like Vespasian. The narrative shifts to Nero’s reign, with mention of tribal cooperation and resistance, notably Boudicca's revolt. Boudicca led a major uprising against Roman forces, resulting in the destruction of several cities before her eventual defeat and suicide.
🚧 Roman Expansion and Agricola's Campaigns
Governor Agricola’s military campaigns in the north of Britain from 79 CE are discussed, along with his building of forts and roads to secure Roman control. He defeated the Picts in 83 CE at the Battle of Mons Graupius but withdrew without establishing a garrison, making the victory temporary as the Picts regained their territory. Agricola was recalled to Rome by Emperor Domitian in 84 CE.
🏰 Romanization of Britain
This paragraph covers the increased Romanization of Britain, with many Britons adopting Roman customs, dress, and religious practices. Cities were rebuilt, roads expanded, and Latin became the language of the political centers. It highlights Hadrian’s Wall, built in 122 CE, and the failed attempt to extend Roman boundaries with the Antonine Wall. Additionally, it mentions Emperor Septimius Severus' division of Britain into two provinces, Britannia Superior and Inferior, to maintain control.
🏛️ The Decline of Roman Britain
The decline of Roman Britain begins with the crisis of the third century, marked by inflation, invasions, and a split in the Roman Empire. The breakaway Gallic Empire held Britain from 260 to 274 CE before it was restored to Roman control. Emperor Diocletian’s reforms further divided the empire and Britain, but revolts like the Carausian Revolt of 286-296 CE removed Britain temporarily from Roman rule. Despite efforts by Constantius and Constantine, the northern boundaries remained unstable.
🛡️ Final Roman Withdrawal
By the late fourth century, invasions from Saxons, Picts, and Irish tribes plagued Britain. Roman defenses, including Hadrian's Wall, were abandoned, and troops were withdrawn by 410 CE. The sack of Rome by the Visigoths under King Alaric signaled the final collapse of Roman rule in Britain. Roman magistrates also left, leaving Britain to fend for itself. The video ends by prompting viewers to speculate how Britain's development might have differed without Roman conquest.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Roman Conquest of Britain
💡Julius Caesar
💡Boudicca's Revolt
💡Hadrian's Wall
💡Romanization of Britain
💡Battle of Watling Street
💡Septimius Severus
💡Crisis of the Third Century
💡Diocletian's Reforms
💡Saxon and Pict Invasions
Highlights
Britain was a Roman province for over 300 years, from 43 to 410 CE.
Julius Caesar made initial contact with Britain in 55 BCE but did not establish a permanent presence.
Claudius initiated the Roman conquest of Britain in 43 CE, using the general Aulus Plautius.
The Roman Empire maintained a balance of power among British tribes to ensure stable trade relations.
Boudicca led a significant uprising against Roman rule in 60 or 61 CE, destroying several cities.
Agricola, a Roman governor, expanded Roman control into Caledonia (modern Scotland) in 83 CE.
Hadrian's Wall was built across the north of Britain in 122 CE to mark the boundary with the Picts.
The Roman presence in Britain led to widespread Romanization of customs, dress, and religious beliefs.
London was rebuilt as an administrative capital with significant Roman infrastructure.
The Antonine Wall was built in the north in the 140s CE but was abandoned by the 160s CE.
The third-century crisis saw Britain declared part of the Gallic Empire, temporarily breaking from Rome.
Diocletian's reforms included making Britain a diocese of Rome with stricter administrative control.
Constantine the Great, along with his father, conducted military campaigns in Britain to push the boundary north.
Coastal forts were built in Britain around 280 CE to defend against Saxon pirates.
By 410 CE, Roman troops were withdrawn from Britain, leaving the island to fend for itself.
The video invites viewers to consider how Britain might have developed differently without Roman conquest.
Transcripts
did you know that Britain was a Roman
province for over 300 years
[Music]
hello and welcome to world history
encyclopedia my name is Kelly and
today's video is all about the contact
between the Roman Empire and Britain
between 43 and 410 CE don't forget the
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Britain was known to the Romans as early
as the 4th Century BCE through stories
told by Phoenician and Greek Sailors who
traded there for tin but had no direct
contact until Julius Caesar crossed the
channel and landed there in 55 BCE he
was not equipped for any full-scale
engagement though and his ships had been
damaged in a storm so he withdrew
returning in 54 BCE when he was able to
establish diplomatic relations with the
leaders of some of the tribes
he left without building any
fortifications or assigning a Garrison
to the region and although later Roman
leaders like Augustus Caesar were aware
of Britain none of the plans to bring it
directly under Roman control panned out
until the reign of Claudius in 43 CE
the contacts Julius Caesar had
established tied certain tribes like the
katavilani and atravatis to Rome who
supported them in return for training
rights Rome was not really interested in
how the britons governed themselves but
maintained a balance of power between
the tribes to ensure stable trade
relations
in the early 40s varrica the king of the
atribatis was defeated by karitakis King
of the katavalani and had to flee
Britain
the emperor Caligula mounted an invasion
Force to reinstate verica but never
launched it and so it fell to his
successor Claudius who most likely used
verica as an excuse for a full-scale
Invasion headed by the general and
senator orlus plautius
the Roman Legions landed in southern
Britain possibly near modern-day Kent
and met the Kata volani at the Battle of
Medway defeating them decisively Roman
generals including the future Emperor
Vespasian then LED their various Legions
on campaigns of Conquest subduing other
tribes
[Music]
Claudius was succeeded by Nero who
continued his policies in Britain some
tribes that had resisted Roman
domination were by this time cooperating
with Roman officials including the ice
Sinai led by their King prasitagus when
prasitagus died in 60 or 61 his will
divided his kingdom between his
daughters and Emperor Nero
the Romans were not interested in half a
kingdom though and demanded it all when
prasitagus's wife Boudicca objected she
was flogged her daughter's raped and the
whole Kingdom taken the Romans seemed to
have thought that was the end of the
matter but Boudicca rallied her people
and neighboring tribes and led an
uprising destroying the cities of
Colchester London and Saint Albans
before she was defeated by the governor
Gaia sutonius palanis at the Battle of
Watling Street
she is said to have committed suicide to
avoid capture
although boudicca's Revolt is the most
famous the Romans were busy putting down
others and extending their control north
and west between 47 and 78 when a new
governor Agricola arrived
Agricola began building forts in 79 and
led successful campaigns against the
britons afterwards building roads to
ensure Swift troop movements and
establishing outposts that would later
become villagers in 83 he moved North
into Caledonia modern Scotland and
defeated the pits under their leader
kalgakis at the Battle of monsgravius
according to the historian tacitus who
was agricola's son-in-law ten thousand
picts died in the Battle while Romans
losses numbered 360. though these
numbers have been challenged by modern
historians
after the battle Agricola withdrew South
without establishing a Garrison in
Caledonia and so his victory was
meaningless as the pics retook whatever
ground had been won Agricola was
recalled to Rome by the emperor domitian
in 84 who seems to have been jealous of
his victories and none of his successors
made any Headway in conquering the
northern region of Britain neither
Scotland nor Ireland was ever taken by
the Romans
[Music]
by this time Roman presence in Britain
was widespread and many britons began
adopting Roman Customs dress and
religious beliefs the cities and
Villages destroyed during campaigns or
revolts were rebuilt and more roads
constructed London burned To The Ground
by Boudicca was rebuilt as an
administrative Capital with the
governor's Palace a bridge over the
Thames and a grand Roman forum
Latin was the language of these
political centers which ambitious
britons had to learn if they wanted
access to the high paying positions
Roman bureaucracy offered
the years between 84 and 122 saw a
steady romanization of Britain and a
consolidation and strengthening of
boundaries including Hadrian's Wall
built across the north dividing the
province of Roman Britain from the land
of the pits Hadrian's successor
antoninus Pius built a wall further
north the antonine wall in Circa 140 but
the Territory between the two couldn't
be maintained and the antonine wall was
abandoned by the 160s setting the
northern boundary at Hadrian's Wall
[Music]
under the emperor septimius Severus The
Province was divided into Britannia
Superior Southern Britain and Britannia
inferior Northern Britain following
severus's 197 CE victory over The
Pretender Claudius albinus who had
declared himself emperor in Britain and
rallied troops to his cause
Severus believed that dividing the
region into two separate administrative
provinces would decrease the chances of
further unrest like albanissa's revolt
Severus launched another campaign north
of Hadrian's Wall in 209 but Guerrilla
tactics by the pits resulted in heavy
losses and Severus was never able to
draw the Pips into open battle
he retreated back into Roman Britain and
again Hadrian's War became the northern
boundary
the crisis of the third Century between
235 and 284 CE which include rampant
inflation economic depression invasions
of Rome's provinces and Rapid succession
of Emperors led to the so-called
Breakaway Empires when the Roman Empire
split into the palmyrine empire in the
East and the gallic empire in the west
with the Roman Empire between them
the Roman Governor posthumous declared
himself emperor of the gallic Empire
which included Britain in 260 and held
it until his assassination in 269 after
which his son reigned until the gallic
forces were defeated by the emperor
aurelian in 274 and the territory is
restored to the Roman Empire
emperor Diocletian restored the Empire
resolving the crisis of the third
century and instituting reforms
including the tetraki dividing the
responsibilities of rule between two
senior Emperors and two Juniors and
eventually dividing the empire into east
and west
he made Britain a Diocese of Rome
governed by vicarius a deputy stationed
at London and aboricum with the region
divided up into smaller administrative
areas for stricter control and
governance these measures still did not
ensure stability as the korosian Revolt
of
286-296 in which the Roman Commander
corosius declared himself emperor of
Britain and Gaul again removed Britain
from the Empire until it was restored by
constantius cholerus one of the tetrocks
appointed by Diocletian
as Emperor constantius conducted
military campaigns in Britain in 306
again trying to push the boundary North
above Hadrian's Wall along with his son
Constantine later Constantine the Great
but in spite of at least one Victory
nothing was accomplished by this
beginning in Circa 280 forts had been
built along the coasts of Britain to
defend against attacks by Saxon Pirates
but by the 4th Century these have proven
ineffective and in 367 the north of
Britain was invaded by Saxons and picts
while Irish Invaders arrived in the West
The Garrison and Hadrian's Wall deserted
their posts and the region spun out of
Rome's control until order was restored
in 368. Invasions by pits Irish and
Saxons continued however and at the same
time Rome was dealing with its own
problems as the boundaries of the empire
were threatened or overrun by Barbarian
tribes
Rowan began pulling troops from Britain
to deal with these invasions and by 410
when the visigoth king Alaric the first
sacked Rome Roman troops in Britain had
been withdrawn completely
Roman magistrates quickly followed the
troops leaving the people of Britain to
fend for themselves
how do you think Britain would have
developed differently without the Roman
Conquest let us know what you think in
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[Music]
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