Roman Conquest of Britain Begins

Setting the scene

By 43 CE, Julius Caesar had invaded Britain twice (55-54 BCE) but did not conquer it. Emperor Claudius, who came to power in 41 CE after Caligula's assassination, needed military prestige to secure his shaky legitimacy—he was seen as weak and had no military record. Britain was also a refuge for anti-Roman Gauls and had valuable resources (tin, grain, slaves). Claudius decided on full-scale invasion.

What happened

In 43 CE, Aulus Plautius led four legions (about 40,000 men) across the Channel, landing at Richborough in Kent. The Britons, led by Caratacus and Togodumnus of the Catuvellauni tribe, resisted but were defeated at the Medway and Thames rivers. Claudius himself arrived with reinforcements and elephants, accepting the surrender of 11 British kings at Camulodunum (Colchester). The Romans established a province, though conquest of the island would take decades—Wales and northern England were not subdued until the 70s-80s CE, and Scotland was never fully conquered.

Why it still matters

The Roman conquest of Britain beginning in 43 CE brought Britain into the Roman world for nearly 400 years, introducing cities, roads, Latin, Christianity, and Roman law. It created a Romano-British culture that persisted after Rome's withdrawal in 410 CE. The conquest demonstrated Rome's continued expansion under the early empire and Claudius's political skill. Hadrian's Wall (built 122 CE) marked the northern limit. Roman Britain's legacy includes London, Bath, and many roads still in use. The conquest is a foundational event in British history, marking the beginning of recorded history for the island.

Background

Roman rule lasted for centuries in much of the south. Even centuries later, this episode remains a reference point for how empires rise, fracture, and transform.