British-History The Beggining

The Conquest:

In 43AD, the Emperor Claudius launched the invasion of Britain. A land of agricultural and mineral wealth, it was potentially a major asset to the Empire. Britain then was not a nation, as we understand the term today, but rather a loose amalgam of indigenous tribes and more recent Celtic invaders and settlers. Some, especially those in the South East, were pro-Roman due to trade with the Empire and inter-tribal rivalry. This support was exploited by Claudius who needed to secure his position in Rome by annexing new lands. The invasion was led by Aulus Plautius and consisted of four legions; II Augusta, IX Hispana, XIIII Gemina, and XX Valeria. Together with auxiliary troops, these four legions totalled approximately 50,000 men.
They quickly occupied the South East and then moved inland. Three legions advanced north whilst the II Augusta, commanded by the future Emperor Vespasian, moved South West by land and sea. Within a generation much of what we know of England and Wales had been absorbed into the province of Britannia.