The Romans in Britain

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What did the Romans give to British people?

Language
The language we used today was developed from the Romans. The Romans spoke and wrote in Latin and many of our words are based on Latin words.
The Calendar
Did you know that the calendar we use today is more than 2,000 years old? It was started by Julius Caesar, a Roman ruler. It is based on the movement of the earth around the sun, and so is called the 'solar calendar.' The solar calendar has 365 days a year, and 366 days every leap year, or every fourth year. The names of our months are taken from the names of Roman gods and rulers. The month 'July,' is named after Julius Caesar himself.

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Laws and a legal system
The laws and ways we determine what to do with someone who is accused of breaking a law came originally from the Roman Empire.
The Roads
The Romans were famous for their roads. Some Roman roads exist to this day, nearly 2000 years after they were made. Roman roads were famed for being straight and well made

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Why did the Romans invade Britain?

Two reasons have been suggested:

The Romans were cross with Britain for helping the Gauls fight against the Roman general Julius Caesar

They came to Britain looking for riches - land, slaves, iron, lead, zinc, copper, silver and gold

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When did the Romans invade Britain?

First invasion

In August 55 B.C. the Roman general, Emperor Julius Caesar invaded Britain. He took with him two Roman legions. After winning several battles against the Celtic tribes (Britons) in south-east England he returned to France

Second invasion

The following summer (in 54 B.C.) Caesar came to Britain again landing at Walmer near Deal in Kent. This time he brought with him no fewer than five legions (30,000 foot soldiers) and 2,000 cavalrymen (horse riders). This time the Romans crossed the River Thames. After more fighting, the British tribes promised to pay tribute to Rome and were then left in peace for nearly a century.

More information about Caesar

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Third and final invasion

Nearly one hundred years later, in 43 A.D. Emperor Claudius organised the final and successful Roman invasion of Britain. General Aulus Plautius led four legions with 25,000 men, plus an equal number of auxiliary soldie. They crossed the Channel in three divisions, landing at Richborough, Dover, and Lympne.