Romans Invade Britannia

Greetings citizens! I am the Emperor Claudius. I took charge of the Roman Empire two years ago in AD 41.

I wanted to show the people of Roma (Rome) how powerful I am. Just because I walk with a limp and have a stammer, some people think I am weak. Conquering new lands is an excellent way of showing that I am a mighty Roman leader. It also adds wealth to our great empire. When Prince Verica of the tribe Atrebates of Britannia started to have trouble with Caratacus from another tribe, he asked for our help. It seemed like a perfect opportunity to invade!

Oh, no! I did not take part in the initial invasion - I left it to my general and 40,000 soldiers. I did join them for the final phase of the assault. I was determined to show the Britons that this time I meant business. I've brought along elephants and camels with me, which are sure to impress. Now that we have seized control of the important seaport of Camulodunum (Colchester), I am confident that my general will become the first Roman Governor of Britannia. He will take the necessary steps to ensure that the rest of Britannia comes under Roman control. When I arrive back in Roma I shall be interested to hear what people have to say about our conquest of Britannia - which is now part of the great and mighty Roman Empire. I expect they will wish to honour me in some way - perhaps build a triumphal arch! I have already given orders that a temple be built in Camulodunum in my name.

"Conquering new lands is an excellent way of showing that I am a mighty Roman leader."

"I am confident that my general will become the first Roman Governor of Britannia. He will take the necessary steps to ensure that the rest of Britannia comes under Roman control."

"I have already given orders that a temple be built in Camulodunum in my name."

My name is Aulus Plautius - and I am the general of the Roman army forces that invaded Britannia. I was previously governor of Pannoni, in the Danube region (Hungary), and I've just been made the first Roman Governor of Britannia.

Well, I had four legions of men and several auxiliaries. They were among 40,000 men in total. The men were a bit reluctant to set sail at first - the ocean marked the edge of the known world and the men weren't keen to go beyond it. But we overcame a potential mutiny and our boats set sail from Gesoriacum (Boulogne) in Gaul (France) - an area already under Roman control. We crossed the Brittanicus Oceanus (English Channel) and arrived on the South coast. We didn't encounter much opposition for a while - just a few skirmishes with those headstrong Celtic brothers Caratacus and Togodumnus.

We ambushed the Britons and it took two days of fighting before we overcame them. We continued moving the Roman army further into Britannia. There were small fights - including one in which we managed to kill Togodumnus - but I decided to halt the troops for a while so that our glorious Emperor Claudius could join us for the final victory. When Claudius arrived we continued to advance and captured the important sea port of Camulodunum (Colchester). Several tribes surrendered to us. We had conquered some of them, but others were keen to join the winning side. The Emperor seems very pleased with the progress of the invasion so far. He's asked me to conquer the rest of Britannia. I'm thrilled that he's made me the country's first Roman Governor - what an honour!

"Several tribes surrendered to us. We had conquered some of them, but others were keen to join the winning side."

"The Emperor seems very pleased with the progress of the invasion so far. He's asked me to conquer the rest of Britannia."

"We didn't encounter much opposition for a while - just a few skirmishes with those headstrong Celtic brothers Caratacus and Togodumnus."

My name is Caratacus - the chief of the Catuvellauni tribe based in the southern part of Britannia in Camulodunum. I know some of the tribal leaders are friendly with the Romans and are happy to trade with them, but I hate the Romans.

My brother Togodumnus and I - brave sons of the late chief Cunobelimus - tried to stop them with our men, but we were unsuccessful. Britannia is divided into tribes at the moment, led by chiefs or kings. We don't have one big, well-organised army like the Romans, so it makes it harder for us to fight against the enemy. I've heard that Togodumnus has been killed by those murdering Romans - fighting for his tribe and his people.

The Romans look like they've taken over our tribal headquarters at Camulodunum (Colchester). Several other tribes have surrendered to them too. But I will never give in. I plan to lead the battle against the Romans...for years if necessary. I will flee to the lands of the Silures and Ordovices tribes (in Wales) and consider the best way to oppose this invading army.

"I know some of the tribal leaders are friendly with the Romans and are happy to trade with them, but I hate the Romans."

"We don't have one big, well-organised army like the Romans, so it makes it harder for us to fight against the enemy."

"I plan to lead the battle against the Romans...for years if necessary."

My name is Marcus Favonius Facilis. I'm a centurion with the 20th Legion. I was part of the invading forces of the Roman army.

It may help if I explain a little about how the Roman army is divided up. A legion is a section of the army containing about 5,500 men. Each legion is divided into 10 cohorts, and each cohort contains six centuries. You would expect there to be 100 men in each century - after all, a century is the term we use for a hundred. But actually, there are 80 men in each century. A centurion is in charge of each century, and that is what I do. I was given this important job because of my distinguished military career and bravery on the battlefield.

We believe in strict training and discipline - and it's men-only in our army. When you sign up to join us, you stay in the service for 25 years. And you're not allowed to get married while you are in the army. We wear helmets and armour, and carry shields to protect ourselves. We use a range of weapons, like swords and javelins with sharp points on the end. We also use enormous slingshots to hurl rocks at our enemies. One of our tactics is to group together and place our shields around us and above us. This is called the testudo, or tortoise. When we are marching in hostile country - like in Britannia - we build marching camps and sleep in tents overnight. But normally our legions are stationed in fortresses. We build our fortresses near to the river so that we can use boats to bring in supplies of food and such like. It looks like we'll be building our first legionary fortress in Britannia here in Camulodunum (Colchester).

"We believe in strict training and discipline - and it's men-only in our army. When you sign up to join us, you stay in the service for 25 years."

"One of our tactics is to group together and place our shields around us and above us. This is called the testudo, or tortoise."

"It looks like we'll be building our first legionary fortress in Britannia here in Camulodunum."

My name is Longinus Sdapeze, I'm a sergeant in the First Thracian Cavalry. My title is duplicarius, or second in command.

No! I'm one of the auxiliary troops. These troops are made up of men who are not normally Roman citizens but who live in the provinces that the Roman Empire has conquered. I was born in Serdika (Sofia in Bulgaria). I'm a member of the cavalry unit and ride a horse into battle. If I have an honourable career in the auxiliaries I may be granted Roman citizenship, and then any sons that I have would be eligible to join a legion.

I ride a native Britannic horse. We find they're ideal - strong and agile. We have also brought some horses of our own, including Arab horses. I wear a helmet and armour to protect myself, and we have a range of weapons including javelins, swords and spears - plus a shield. My horse is also adorned with fancy bits of metalwork on its bridle and other tack. In battle, it's our job to support the legionaries. But we also chase after any of our enemies who try to retreat.

"I wear a helmet and armour to protect myself, and we have a range of weapons including javelins, swords and spears - plus a shield."

"In battle, it's our job to support the legionaries. But we also chase after any of our enemies who try to retreat."

"I'm one of the auxiliary troops. These troops are made up of men who are not normally Roman citizens but who live in the provinces that the Roman Empire has conquered."