Britain was a significant addition to the ever-expanding Roman Empire. For decades, Rome had been conquering the Mediterranean Sea – defeating Carthage in the Punic Wars, overwhelming Macedon and Greece, and finally marching into Syria and Egypt. At long last, they gazed northward across the Alps towards Gaul and ultimately set their sights across the channel (they believed it to be an ocean) into Britannia. After Claudius' invasion in 43 CE, part of the island became a Roman province in name, however, conquest was a long process. Constantly rebellious and twice reorganized, it was finally abandoned by the Romans in 410 CE.
More about: Roman BritainDefinition
Timeline
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55 BCE - 54 BCEJulius Caesar's expeditions in Britain.
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54 BCE - 43 CERoman influence grows in Britain owing to trade.
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43 CEClaudius commences the Roman conquest of Britain.
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47 CE - 50 CELondinium (London) founded, roads constructed.
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51 CEBriton rebel leader Caratacus defeated, rebellion crushed.
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60 CE - 61 CEBoudicca's Revolt in Britain.
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75 CE - 77 CERomans defeat the last of the Northern tribes; Roman conquest of Britain complete.
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79 CEJulius Agricola, Governor of Roman Britain, invades Scotland.
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122 CEConstruction begins on Hadrian's Wall.
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142 CEThe Antonine Wall built under Antoninus Pius, north of Hadrian's Wall.
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212 CERome withdraws from region of Scotland.
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286 CENaval commander Carausius (Marcus Aurelius Mausaeus Valerius Carausius) declares himself emperor in Britain and Northern Gaul.
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293 CEEmperor Carausius assassinated by Allectus.
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410 CEThe Romans withdraw from Britain.
