Successful invasion by Claudius and conquest, including Hadrian's Wall

Welcome to Roman Britain: Conquest and Hadrian's Wall!

Have you ever wondered how Britain became part of the mighty Roman Empire? Today, we are travelling back in time almost 2,000 years to discover how the Romans invaded Britain under Emperor Claudius, how British tribes reacted, and why they built the colossal Hadrian's Wall across the north of England.

Don't worry if all these Roman names seem tricky at first! We will break everything down into bite-sized steps to make it easy and exciting to learn.

1. Before the Conquest: Julius Caesar's Visits

Long before Britain became part of the Roman Empire, a very famous Roman leader tried to visit.

Julius Caesar led two military expeditions to Britain in 55 BC and 54 BC. He fought some battles, made British tribes pay tribute (money), and set up trade links. However, Caesar did not conquer Britain or leave an army behind to rule it. Britain stayed under the control of its own Celtic tribes for nearly another 100 years!

Top Tip & Common Mistake to Avoid:
Many people think Julius Caesar conquered Britain, but he only visited on short military expeditions. The real, permanent invasion happened later!

2. The Big Invasion: Emperor Claudius (AD 43)

In AD 43, a new Roman leader decided it was time to take Britain for good: Emperor Claudius.

Why Did Claudius Want to Invade?

Claudius had just become Emperor in Rome. To prove to the Roman people and his army that he was a strong, powerful leader, he needed a glorious military victory. Britain was a mysterious, rich island across the sea, making it the perfect target!

How the Invasion Happened: Step-by-Step

Step 1: The General Takes Command
Claudius chose a top general named Aulus Plautius to lead the invasion force. Aulus Plautius commanded four Roman legions, with around 20,000 to 25,000 legionaries (professional Roman soldiers) plus extra auxiliary troops—totalling roughly 40,000 soldiers.

Step 2: The Landing in Kent
The massive fleet of Roman ships crossed the sea and landed on the coast of Kent (at a place called Richborough, or Rutupiae).

Step 3: The Battle of the River Medway
The Romans faced fierce Celtic resistance led by two brothers, Caratacus and Togodumnus of the Catuvellauni tribe. After a tough, two-day battle at the River Medway, the disciplined Roman army won.

Step 4: Claudius Arrives in Triumph
Once the path was clear, Emperor Claudius himself travelled to Britain to lead the final march into Camulodunum (modern-day Colchester). Colchester became the first capital city and colony (colonia) of Roman Britain, before Londinium (London) grew into the main trading city.

Step 5: A New Roman Province
Britain was officially made a province of the Roman Empire, called Britannia, with Aulus Plautius serving as its very first Roman governor.

Quick Summary Box: The AD 43 Invasion
• Emperor: Claudius (wanted glory and power).
• General: Aulus Plautius (led 40,000 soldiers).
• Landing Site: Kent (Richborough).
• Key Battle: River Medway against Caratacus and Togodumnus.
• First Capital: Camulodunum (Colchester).
• New Name: The province of Britannia.

3. Conquest, Friends, and Resistance

Did all British people fight against the Romans? Not quite! Different tribes made different choices.

Client Kingdoms (Allies)

Some Celtic rulers decided it was safer to make peace. They became client kingdoms—rulers who agreed to cooperate with Rome in exchange for keeping their titles and protection:
• King Cogidubnus of the Regni/Atrebates tribe.
• King Prasutagus of the Iceni tribe.
• Queen Cartimandua of the Brigantes tribe.

Boudica's Fierce Rebellion (AD 60–61)

Peace did not last everywhere. When King Prasutagus of the Iceni died, Roman officials mistreated his wife, Queen Boudica, and her daughters, and tried to take all their land.

Furious at this cruelty, Boudica led a massive rebellion of the Iceni and Trinovantes tribes in AD 60–61:
• Her warriors burned down three important Roman settlements: Camulodunum (Colchester), Londinium (London), and Verulamium (St Albans).
• Eventually, the Roman governor Suetonius Paulinus gathered his well-trained soldiers and defeated Boudica's army at the Battle of Watling Street.

4. The Northern Frontier: Hadrian's Wall

As the Romans pushed further north into Caledonia (modern Scotland), they met tough resistance from northern tribes like the Picts and Caledonians. The Romans could never fully conquer this northern area.

Why Was the Wall Built?

In AD 122, Emperor Hadrian visited Britain. He decided that instead of constantly fighting in the rugged north, Rome should build a permanent, mighty wall to mark the northern boundary of the Roman Empire.

Hadrian's Wall Facts & Features

1. Location and Length:
The wall stretched right across northern England from the River Tyne in the east (at Wallsend) to the Solway Firth in the west (at Bowness-on-Solway). It measured 73 Roman miles long (which is about 80 modern miles or 117.5 km!).

2. How It Was Built:
Construction began in AD 122 and took between 6 and 10 years. It was built mainly of stone in the east and centre, and originally out of turf (blocks of grass and soil) in the west, which was later rebuilt in stone.

3. Forts, Castles, and Towers:
• Milecastles: Small fortlets built every single Roman mile along the wall.
• Turrets: Two observation watchtowers placed between every pair of milecastles.
• Major Garrison Forts: Huge forts built on or near the wall to house hundreds of soldiers (famous examples include Housesteads, Chesters, and Vindolanda).

4. Earthworks and Ditches:
To make the wall even harder to cross, Roman soldiers dug a large ditch on the north side, and a huge earth ditch with mounds on the south side called the Vallum.

What Was the Wall Used For? (It Wasn't Just for Fighting!)

Think of Hadrian's Wall like a modern airport border control checkpoint:

• Military Defence: It protected Roman Britain from surprise attacks and raids by northern tribes.
• Border Control and Customs: People could only pass through designated gates. Roman soldiers checked who was entering, checked what goods they carried, and collected taxes (customs duties).
• A Symbol of Power: It was a giant display of Rome's wealth, engineering skill, and control.

5. Historical Detective: Busting Common Myths!

Myth 1: "Hadrian's Wall is the border between England and Scotland."
Fact: Hadrian's Wall sits entirely inside modern-day England (from Newcastle across to Cumbria), south of the actual Scottish border.

Myth 2: "The Romans conquered the whole island of Great Britain."
Fact: The Romans never permanently controlled or settled the northern part of Scotland (Caledonia). Hadrian's Wall marked the edge of their sustained empire.

Myth 3: "Hadrian's Wall was only used during major battles."
Fact: Most of the time, soldiers on the wall checked traders, collected taxes, and managed daily travel through the border gates.

6. Chapter Memory Checklist

Test your knowledge with this quick checklist:
• 55 & 54 BC: Julius Caesar leads short expeditions.
• AD 43: Emperor Claudius orders the full conquest; General Aulus Plautius leads 40,000 men.
• Camulodunum (Colchester): The first Roman capital of Britannia.
• AD 60–61: Queen Boudica leads a famous rebellion against Roman rule.
• AD 122: Emperor Hadrian orders the building of Hadrian's Wall.
• 73 Roman Miles: The length of Hadrian's Wall from Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway.
• Milecastles & Turrets: The guard posts and watchtowers placed along the wall.