Roman conquest of Britain facts for kids
The Roman conquest of Britain started in AD 43. This was when the Roman Emperor Claudius decided to take control of the island. His main general, Aulus Plautius, became the first Governor of what the Romans called Roman Britain (which they called Britannia).
Britain had been a place the Romans were interested in for a long time. Even before the conquest, it had connections with the Roman Republic and later the Roman Empire. The famous Roman leader Julius Caesar visited Britain in 55 and 54 BC. After his visits, Britain and Rome had strong diplomatic (friendly talks) and trading links. Roman ways of life, like their economy and culture, were already influencing southern Britain during the late pre-Roman Iron Age.
Why the Romans Invaded Britain
For nearly 100 years, between 55 BC and the AD 40s, Rome did not invade Britain. Emperor Augustus thought about invading in 34 BC, 27 BC, and 25 BC. However, he had to cancel the first and third plans because of rebellions in other parts of the Roman Empire. The second plan was stopped because the Britons seemed ready to make peace.
A writer named Strabo wrote a book called Geography around this time. He said that Rome made more money from Britain through customs (taxes on goods coming in and out) than it would if they actually conquered the island and collected regular taxes.
The Road to Invasion
By the AD 40s, things in Britain were not very stable. Emperor Caligula planned to attack Britain in AD 40. But his plan never happened. Even so, Caligula's preparations made it easier for Claudius to invade three years later. For example, Caligula built a lighthouse at a place called Bononia (which is now Boulogne-sur-Mer in France). This lighthouse was a model for the one built soon after at Dover in Britain.
Images for kids
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Campaigns under Aulus Plautius and the British tribes
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Roman campaigns from AD 43 to 60.
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The Roman Empire in AD 54.
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Agricola's campaigns.
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Northern campaigns.
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Roman military organisation in the north.
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The Roman Empire in AD 96.
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The Stanegate line is marked in red, to the south of the later Hadrian's Wall. (n.b. Brocavum is Brougham, not Kirkby Thore as given in the map)
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Levels of Romanisation by area and date
See also
In Spanish: Conquista romana de Britania para niños
