PR-2237IRE Ancient Rome

Romans in Britain
Julius Caesar was a great Roman general who served the normal year in office as a consul in 59 BC
before fighting and defeating the tribes in Gaul. In 55 BC his army landed in Kent and advanced
inland. He captured hostages but soon sailed back to Gaul after repairing ships damaged in a
storm. In 54 BC his army advanced over 150 km inland. He vanquished Cassivellaunus, the most
important tribal leader, but after taking prisoners and money he returned to Gaul. Some historians believe that
Caesar invaded Britain because it was supposed to be rich in minerals and pearls, which may account for his
quick departure.
Claudius’s army was led by Aulus Plautius, one of his best generals. Plautius captured Colchester, the stronghold
of the leading British tribe, but the tribal leader, Caractacus, fled to Wales. He was captured later and taken to
Rome to be executed, but Claudius was so impressed by a speech Caractacus made, he was pardoned. Plautius
became the first governor of Roman Britain.
Claudius needed the victory in Britain to establish himself as a worthy emperor after the murder of the emperor
Caligula.
In a struggle for power with other generals, Caesar was victorious in the civil wars which followed. He then
began to act as the dictator of Rome and made enemies in the Senate, the council that legally ruled Rome.
Because some leading Romans wanted Rome to stay a republic with power shared by more than one person,
Caesar was murdered in 44 BC by a group of powerful men led by Cassius and Brutus, who were supposed to be
friends of the great Roman general.
Our month of July is named after him, and during his years in power he improved communications throughout
the Empire by building bridges and roads. He also allowed many prisoners of war to become Roman citizens,
which gave them their freedom and legal rights.
TEACHERS
N OTE
Viewing Sample
– 70 – Ancient Rome Prim-Ed Publishing www.prim-ed.com