Roman Occupation in Britain

Rome is commonly associated with the great civilizations of classical antiquity; Greece,  Carthage, and other highly urbanized civilization along the Mediterranean Sea. While it is well known that these civilizations had great battles over territory and resources, the history of the Celtic tribes to the north and their relationship with Rome is commonly looked over.

Celtic civilization was one of the most the significant societies in northern Europe from the bronze age (about 1600 BC in Europe) all the way until the takeover by Rome in  43 AD. Celtic society was made up primarily of scattered farming communities organized in tribes, who lived simply, without much literacy in structures resembling mud huts. The western Celts were organized into 3 sects: the Gauls (in France), The Britons (in England), and the Gaels (in Ireland). The Gauls were closest in relation to the Roman empire, so they had a marginally better relationship with the Romans than the Britons did, but only slightly.

Celtic dwelling

The first invasion into Britain, the main target of the Romans, took place in 55 BC under the command of Julius Caesar. This invasion, ironically, was incredibly mild. Caesar essentially brought troops to 'come and see' but failed to do the conquering part. Much of the reason for this, and the many other called off invasions is that the Britons adamantly resisted and there really wasn't anything Rome thought they could profit from. The second invasion took place almost 100 years later in 43 AD under the rule of Emperor Claudius. This time the invasion was taken seriously and ultimately succeeded, taking Briton in 4 years, but whales in 30.



The Roman occupation of Britain popularized many things that were of little importance to the Celts. They popularized urbanization, literacy, luxury, and roads. The Roman occupation even established the capital city of modern day England, London, and some of the ancient Roman roads are still in use today.


mosaic from a Roman Villa in Britain

roman roads in Britain


While Roman occupation of England seems to have introduced such revolutionary concepts to England, the reality was that for the most part, to the average briton, nothing changed. Only the wealthy or elite saw the urbanization in their lifestyles; and even if they did it was slowly and not as apparent as many are led to believe. Regardless of the extent to which life changed for the Celts in Britain, romanization of the Celts in Britain did change things, and changed them so that they are how they appear today, ans that is what make this significant.

Sources:

http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/homework/celts.htm

http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?groupid=831&HistoryID=aa84&gtrack=pthc

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/questions_01.shtml

https://www.britishmuseum.org/PDF/british_museum_roman_britain.pdf