British history XIV

Iron Age

Julius Caesar's attempted invasion 55 - 54 BC

In 55 BC, the Roman proconsul Julius Caesar began preparation for an invasion of Britain. Caesar had earned glory and wealth thanks to his recent conquest of Gaul and wished to increase further his status in Rome by an expedition to the semi-mythical isle of Britain.

Caesar did not leave Gaul until the August of 55 BC, sailing to near Dover (probably from Boulogne) with a force of two legions. However, storms prevented the arrival of further troops and Caesar decided to take his army back to Gaul. The following May, with a force of five legions and 2,000 supporting cavalry, Caesar returned and landed unopposed in Kent. The Romans marched towards London, defeating a British coalition under Cassivellaunus, King of Catuvellauni, in Hertfordshire.

The Trinovantes tribe appealed to the Romans to stop molestation by the Catuvellauni, and assisted Caesar in the taking Cassivellaunus's stronghold. News of an impending rebellion in Gaul caused the Romans to withdraw once again, having fixed a suitable level of tribute and taken hostages for slaves. Following Julius Caesar's abortive expeditions, contact and trade between Britain and the Roman world increased.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/timelines/britain/iron_invasion.shtml