2nd century in Roman Britain facts for kids

2nd century in Roman Britain

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Welcome to the 2nd century in Roman Britain! This was a time when the Roman Empire ruled over a large part of what is now England and Wales. This century saw big changes, including the building of famous walls and many battles. Roman governors worked to keep control, but local tribes often fought back. Let's explore the exciting events that shaped Roman Britain during these 100 years.

Key Events of the 2nd Century

This section covers the most important happenings in Roman Britain. From new buildings to major conflicts, the 2nd century was full of action.

Early 2nd Century: Building and Control

The century began with the Romans strengthening their hold and building important structures.

• 108
  • The Legio IX Hispana (a Roman army group called a legion) was last known to be in Britain. They were stationed at Eboracum, which is now the city of York in northern England.
• 118
  • Quintus Pompeius Falco, who was the Roman governor (the main leader in charge), stopped a rebellion by the Brigantes. The Brigantes were a powerful group of native people living in northern Britain.
• c. 120
  • The Car Dyke was built. This was a long ditch or canal constructed in the newly drained East Anglian Fens (a marshy area). It helped with drainage and transport.

Hadrian's Wall and New Frontiers

A major event was the visit of an emperor and the start of a famous wall.

• 122
  • In the summer, Emperor Hadrian himself visited Britain. He appointed Aulus Platorius Nepos as the new governor.
  • Emperor Hadrian ordered the building of Hadrian's Wall. This huge wall was meant to protect the Roman parts of Britain from tribes to the north.
  • Also in 122, the main public square, called a forum, was finished in Londinium (which is now London). This was a central place for business and government.
• 130
  • The town center of Wroxeter, an important Roman town, was rebuilt and improved.

The Antonine Wall: Pushing North

The Romans tried to expand their territory even further north.

• 139
  • The new governor, Quintus Lollius Urbicus, moved Roman forces north. They reached the line between the River Clyde and the River Forth in Scotland.
  • He rebuilt Corstopitum to use it as a military base for these northern advances.
• 142
  • Emperor Antoninus Pius ordered the building of the Antonine Wall. This wall was built even further north than Hadrian's Wall, across the middle part of Scotland.

Challenges and Retreats

The Romans faced strong resistance, leading to walls being overrun and abandoned.

• 154
  • Governor Gnaeus Julius Verus had to put down another revolt by the Brigantes.
  • The Antonine Wall was overrun by northern tribes. This meant the Romans lost control of it.
• 155
  • A large fire destroyed much of the central area of Verulamium, which is now St Albans.
• 158
  • The Romans began to strengthen and rebuild the forts along Hadrian's Wall.
• 160
  • The Antonine Wall was taken back and used by the Romans again for a short time.
• 163
  • The Antonine Wall was finally abandoned by the Romans. Governor Sextus Calpurnius Agricola then focused on rebuilding forts along Hadrian's Wall.

Late 2nd Century: Conflict and Leadership Changes

The end of the century was marked by more fighting and changes in Roman leadership.

• 175
  • About 5,500 Sarmatian cavalry (soldiers on horseback from a group of people in Eastern Europe) were sent to northern Britain. They were forced to join the Roman army.
• 180
  • Tribes from the north broke through Hadrian's Wall. They caused a lot of damage in the Roman-controlled countryside.
  • Governor Ulpius Marcellus launched attacks to punish these northern tribes.
• 185
  • Marcellus was forced to go back to Hadrian's Wall.
  • The Roman army in Britain rebelled against their leaders. Pertinax was then made governor, and he managed to stop the rebellion.
• 187
  • Pertinax left his position as governor because the army did not like him anymore.
• 192
  • Clodius Albinus, who was the governor of Britain, was briefly declared Emperor. However, he later agreed that Septimius Severus should be the Emperor instead.
• 196
  • Albinus then changed his mind and declared himself "Augustus" (a title for an emperor). He invaded Gaul (modern-day France) to try and overthrow Severus.
• 197
  • On February 19, Albinus was defeated at the Battle of Lugdunum in Gaul. Severus then appointed Virius Lupus as the new governor of Britain.
  • The Maeatae, another group of northern tribes, launched attacks against Hadrian's Wall.