ROMAN BRITAIN, 55 B.C.; 43-410 A.D.

A CIVILIZATION WHICH DID NOT CIVILIZE

16.  Europe shortly before Caesar’s Invasion of Britain.

Before considering the Roman invasion of Britain let us take a glance at the condition of Europe.  We have seen that the tribes (S2) of Britain, like those of Gaul (France), were not mere savages.  On the contrary, we know that they had taken more than one important step in the path of progress; still the advance should not be overrated, for north of the shores of the Mediterranean there was no real civilization.

[1] Reference Books on this Period will be found in the Classified List of Books in the Appendix.  The pronunciation of names will be found in the Index.  The Leading Dates stand unenclosed; all others are in parentheses.

17.  Caesar’s Campaigns.

Such was the state of Europe when Julius Caesar, who was governor of Gaul, but who aspired to be ruler of the world, set out on his first campaign against the tribes north of the Alps (58 B.C.).

In undertaking the war he had three objects in view:  First, he wished to crush the power of those restless hordes that threatened the safety of the Roman Republic.  Next, he sought military fame in the hope that it would make him supreme ruler of that Republic.  Lastly, he wanted money to maintain his army and to bribe the party leaders of Rome to help him carry out his political plans.  To this end he compelled every tribe which he conquered to pay him tribute in cash or slaves.

18.  Caesar reaches Boulogne and crosses over to Britain, 55 B.C.

In three years Caesar had subjugated the enemy in a succession of victories, and a great part of Europe lay helpless at his feet.  Late in the summer of 55 B.C. he reached Boulogne on the coast of Gaul.  Standing there, he could see the gleaming chalk cliffs of Britain, so vividly described in Shakespeare’s “King Lear."[1]

[1] Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” Act IV, scene vi.

While encamped on the shore he “resolved,” he says, “to pass over into Britain, having had trustworthy information that in all his wars with the Gauls the enemies of the Roman commonwealth had constantly received help from thence."[2]

[2] Caesar’s “Gallic War,” Book IV.

Embarking with a force of between eight and ten thousand men[3] in eighty small vessels, Caesar crossed the Channel and landed not far from Dover, where he overcame the Britons (S2), who made a desperate resistance.  After a stay of a few weeks, during which he did not leave the coast, he returned to Gaul.

[3] Caesar probably sailed about the 25th of August, 55 B.C.  His force consisted of two legions, the 7th and 10th.  A legion varied at different times from 3000 foot and 200 horse soldiers to 6000 foot and 400 horse.

19.  Caesar’s Second Invasion of Britain.