Ancient Rome

The Romans brought the biggest change to Britain since the last ice age, taking an island of warring Celtic iron age tribes and turning them into part of the vast and civilised Roman Empire.  Of course it didn’t always go smoothly!

Arriving first in 55BC under Julius Caesar, but being beaten by the Celtic Britons, the Romans finally began their conquest in 43AD under the Emperor Claudius.  One by one the British tribes fell to the superior techniques of Roman warfare, or were tempted into submission by the offers of riches and status in the largest Empire the world had ever seen.

Not everyone was pleased to be ruled by a far off Emperor, however, and having failed to conquer the Picts in northern Britain the Romans eventually built Hadrian’s wall to keep them out. There were also many rebellions and uprisings; probably the most famous being led by Boudicca from Colchester around 60AD.

The parts of Britain that would eventually become England and Wales settled down under Roman rule, which would last for almost 400 years.  The Romans never did conquer Scotland, Ireland or the Isle of Man, and Britain became the land on the very edge of the Roman world.  The Latin speaking Romans influenced the Celtic speaking Britons so much so that by the end of the Roman occupation the population was Romano-British; a mix of both peoples, some living in Roman-style homes and with Roman-style clothing.  They even converted to the new religion of the Empire: a little-known sect called Christianity.

The Roman Legacy

The Romans also gave Britain large towns and cities.  Often starting off as military camps and growing into larger settlements, some can still be identified by their -chester, -cester or -caster place name elements. 

The Roman legacy is still visible today in our landscape and we still have a fair amount of surviving Roman buildings and roads.  For example, when we drive on the A1 north/south or the A5 across the midlands, we are driving on the old Roman roads of Ermine street and Watling street.

And of course where would we be without Roman numerals, the Roman alphabet (which is what modern English is written in, with a few modifications), Latin words in science and medicine, cherries, wine, rabbits, and stinging nettles?  OK that last one might not be such a great import, but the Romans did introduce them for medicinal use.

But apart from aqueducts, central heating, tower blocks, amphitheatres, literature, sanitation, medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, running water, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?