When was Britain first called Britain?

The name 'Britain' first appears in the work On the Ocean by the Greek explorer Pytheas in 325 BCE and comes from the Greek word for "painted", referencing the Britons' custom of 'painting' - tattooing - themselves.

How long was Britain a province of Rome?

Britain was a province of Rome between 43-410 CE.

Was there really and Anglo-Saxon invasion of Britain?

No. The story of the Anglo-Saxon invasion of Britain was first recorded by the historian Gildas in the 6th century CE. Modern scholarship has established that the Saxons, Angles, and Jutes migrated to Britain peacefully. The myth of an invasion may have developed due to Saxon pirates raiding coastal towns.

When was the last Viking raid on Britain?

The last Viking raid on Britain was in 1066 under their leader Harald Hardrada who weakened the Anglo-Saxon army and unwittingly aided the Norman conquest of Britain that same year.

Britain Timeline

Definition

Ancient Britain was a landmass on the northwest of the continent of Europe first occupied by humans c. 800,000 years ago prior to it becoming an island c. 6000 BCE due to flooding which separated it from the mainland. Agriculture began to develop in the region c. 4200 BCE encouraging the development of civilization.

More about: Ancient Britain

Timeline

12000 BCE
Paleolithic seasonal camp at Howburn Farm in Biggar, Scotland, visited regularly.
10500 BCE - 7000 BCE
Mesolithic settlements established (many seasonal) in Scotland.
c. 6500 BCE
Possibly the last time there was a land bridge between Britain and the continent.
6000 BCE
Bones and antlers used as tools, ring and cup marks on stones begin appearing in Scotland.
c. 3500 BCE
The vast stone complex known as the Ness of Brodgar in use in Orkney.
c. 3100 BCE
Neolithic village of Skara Brae inhabited.
c. 3100 BCE - c. 2500 BCE
Megalithic Period in which majority of standing stone sites were constructed.
c. 3000 BCE - c. 2800 BCE
The Neolithic chambered cairn known as Maeshowe constructed and in use.
c. 2500 BCE
Migration of the so-called Beaker People to Scotland.
2000 BCE - 1500 BCE
Wessex culture introduces bronze working to Britain.
c. 2000 BCE - c. 1400 BCE
Early Bronze Age in Scotland.
c. 1400 BCE - c. 900 BCE
Middle Bronze Age in Scotland.
c. 900 BCE - c. 400 BCE
Late Bronze Age in Scotland.
c. 900 BCE
Celtic Migration begins in Europe with many Celts landing in Scotland.
55 BCE - 54 BCE
Julius Caesar's expeditions in Britain.
55 BCE
Caesar attempts to invade Britain.
54 BCE
Caesar successfully invades Britain but withdraws to Gaul.
54 BCE - 43 CE
Roman influence grows in Britain owing to trade.
43 CE
Romans invade Britain under Aulus Plautius.
43 CE - 47 CE
Romans conquer South Britain and claim the territory as part of Roman Empire.
43 CE
Claudian invasion of Britain, includes the Legio II Augusta.
51 CE
Briton rebel leader Caratacus defeated, rebellion crushed.
60 CE - 61 CE
Boudicca's Revolt in Britain.
60 CE - 61 CE
Boudicca revolts, the Legio II Augusta does not respond to a call to arms.
75 CE - 77 CE
Romans defeat the last of the Northern tribes; Roman conquest of Britain complete.
122 CE
Construction begins on Hadrian's Wall.
142 CE
The Antonine Wall built under Antoninus Pius, north of Hadrian's Wall.
286 CE
Naval commander Carausius (Marcus Aurelius Mausaeus Valerius Carausius) declares himself emperor in Britain and Northern Gaul.
293 CE
Emperor Carausius assassinated by Allectus.
410 CE
Rome withdraws forces from Britain.
450 CE
Angles and Saxons settle Britain.
c. 500 CE
Kingdom of Dal Riada conquers the region of Scotland.

Ancient Britain

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