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7
The Roman Emperor Julius Caesar carried out two expeditions in 55 and 54 , neither of which led to
immediate Roman settlement in Britain. Caesar's summer expeditions were a failure. Almost a century later in
43 AD Emperor Claudius sent his legions over the seas to occupy Britain. The occupation was to last more than
three centuries and the Romans saw their mission of civilizing the country. The British were not conquered
easily. There was a resistance in Wales and the Romans destroyed the Druids, a class of Celtic priests (or witch-
doctors) as their rutuals alledgedly involved human sacrifice.
There was a revolt in East Anglia, where Queen Boadicea (Boudicca) and her daughters in their chariots
were fighting against Roman soldiers and were defeated. The Roman occupation was spread mainly over
England, while Wales, Scotland and Ireland remained unconquered areas of the Celtic fringe – preserving
Celtic culture and traditions.
The Romans were in Great Britain for over 350 years, they were both an occupying army and the rulers.
They imposed Pax Romana,– Roman peace – which stopped tribal wars, and protected Britain from the attacks
of outsiders – Picts in the North, Saxons from overseas.