The Roman Period. Four hundred years of rule but what was the legacy left by the Roman invaders?

The Roman Period 43 -410

Find out more about the Roman Period in Britain by using a combination of the timeline and synopsis below as well as our posts. Find new intriguing connections using our themed history pages. Explore the world of science, the arts, church, government or law. Discover what happened in the four hundred years of Roman occupation.

Year	Event	Narrative
55BC	Julius Caesar's first invasion of Britain is a non military affair, more of an exploratory mission but designed to unsettle the native Celt tribes. Trade goes on and there is a general period of interaction.
5 AD	Rome acknowledges Cymbeline, King of the Catuvellauni, as king of Britain and trade continues the Romans all the while learning more about Britain and all it has to offer	1st century
43 - 46	Roman governor Aulus Plautius	1st century
43	In the preceding period something changes in the relationship between Romans and Celts and the Romans, under Aulus Plautius, invade. Brothers Togodumnus and Caratacus king of the Catuvellauni have been spreading an anti Roman message and tribute payments to Rome have been cut off. Romans and Celts fight many battles	1st century
44	Among the best known ancient baths in the world, the Romans Baths were initially built as part of the town of Aqua Sulis, which was founded in 44 AD. Vast and lavish, the baths were able to accommodate far more people than just the residents of this town and were intended as a place for people to visit from across the Empire. As with other bath complexes of the time, the Roman Baths at Bath were a focal point for the town, a place to socialise and even a religious site.	1st century
47	Roman power extended to line of the FOSSE way and the defeat of the British Chieftain CARATACUS	1st century
47 - 52	Roman governor Publius Ostorius Scapula	1st century
51	Caratacus is handed over to the Romans by Cartimandua, the Queen of the Brigantes,captured and taken to Rome	1st century
52 - 57	Roman governor Aulus Didius Gallus	1st century
57 - 58	Roman governor Quintus Veranius	1st century
58 - 62	Roman governor Gaius Suetonius Paulinus	1st century
61	Queen Boudica of the Iceni tribe, took the battle to the Romans but she is defeated and killed by the Roman governor, Suetonius Paulinus	1st century
62 - 63	Roman governor Publius Petronius Turpilianus	1st century
63 - 69	Roman govenor Marcus Trebellius Maximus	1st century
69 - 71	Roman govenor Marcus Vettius Bolanus	1st century
71 - 74	Roman govenor Quintus Petillius Cerialis	1st century
74 - 77	Roman govenor Sextus Julius Frontinus	1st century
75	Caerleon Roman Fortress is home to the impressive remains of a first century Roman legionary barracks, fortifications, amphitheatre and baths. In fact, they are said to be Europe’s only such barracks on display. Built in approximately 75AD, the Caerleon Roman Fortress was known as Isca and would have been home to the Second Augustan Legion. Spread over 50-acres, it would have housed approximately 5,000 people and was in use for some 200 years.	1st century
77 - 84	Roman govenor Gnaeus Julius Agricola	1st century
77	Emperor Agricola begins his series of campaigns conquering the Celts in the west and the north before turning his attention to the Caldonians	1st century
79	Chester Roman Amphitheatre is Britain’s largest known Roman amphitheatre. Originally part of the Roman settlement of ‘Deva’ which was founded in around 79AD and is now modern day Chester, Chester Roman Amphitheatre would have been able to seat between 8,000 and 12,000 spectators.	1st century
84	The Battle of Mons Graupius took place somewhere in the Highlands of the north. The Roman army under Agricola defeated the northern Celts those who survived fled to the hills	1st century
84 - 89	Roman governor Sallustius Lucullus	1st century
93	Roman govenor Aulus Vicirius Proculus	1st century
96 - 97	Roman govenor Publius Metilius Nepos	1st century
97 - 101	Roman govenor Tiberius Avidius Quietus	1st century
122	The construction of Hadrian's Wall begins under the instruction of Emperor Hadrian. This secures the boundaries of the Roman Empire.	2nd century
133	Julius Severus is governor of Britain	2nd century
142	Construction of the Antonine Wall takes place	2nd century
160	Arbeia Roman Fort Newcastle Upon Tyne. The fort played an important role in patrolling the northern frontier of the ancient Roman province of Britannia. It became the main supplier for the 17 forts along the wall. Built about 160 AD	2nd century
167	The Pope sends missionaries Phagan and Deruvian,to convert the 'heathen' Britons to Christianity	2nd century
200	Franks and Saxons start their earliest raids on eastern Britain and the Romans expand their complex series of sea defences, an example of which can be seen at PORTCHESTER CASTLE.	3rd century
208	Romans invade Scotland under EMPEROR SEPTIMIUS SEVERUS	3rd century
200 - 299	Bignor Roman Villa contains some of the best preserved Roman mosaics in Britain, as well as the remains of the villa complex which include several living rooms, a bathhouse and even the underfloor heating systems employed by Roman engineers. Built 200 AD - 299 AD.	3rd century
210	At some point in this century first British martyr St Albans, was killed for his faith in one of the few persecutions of Christians ever to take place on the island, during the governorship of Gaius Junius Faustinus Postumianus	3rd century
240	Temple of Mithras, Walbrook London built	3rd century
260 - 273	The rise of the GALLIC EMPIRE when GAUL, Germany, Spain and Britain temporarily secede from the Roman Empire.	3rd century
286 - 293	Roman govenor Carausius	3rd century
287 - 296	Revolt by Carausius, commander of the Roman British fleet, who rules Britain as emperor. Second period of temporary secession from the Roman Empire under the rule of CARAUSIUS and ALLECTUS	3rd century
293	Carausius is murdered by Allectus, a fellow rebel, in 293	3rd century
293 - 296	Roman governor Allectus	3rd century
300	Around this time construction of the Saxon shore forts takes place such as Portchester Castle in Hampshire	4th century
303	There is a general persecution of Christians throughout the Roman Empire	4th century
306	Constantine (the Great) is proclaimed Emperor at York	4th century
311	Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire ends.	4th century
312	Constantine defeats and kills Maxentius at battle of Milvian Bridge; Constantine realizes Christian God may be a powerful ally and decides to attempt to co-opt him for his own purposes.	4th century
313	Edict of Toleration proclaimed at Milan, in which Christianity is made legal throughout the empire.	4th century
314	Three British bishops, for the first time, attend a continental church gathering, the Council of Arles.	4th century
324	Constantine makes the Christian church the official religion in Britain but does nothing to stop the use of Pagan churches	4th century
337	Constantine is baptised on his deathbed	4th century
350 - 353	Roman governor Magnentius	4th century
360	Series of attacks on Britain from the north by the Picts, the Attacotti and the Irish (Scots), requiring the intervention of Roman generals leading special legions.	4th century
361 - 363	Roman governor Alypius of Antioch	4th century
369	Roman general Theodosius drives the Picts and Scots out of Roman Britain	4th century
383	Magnus Maximus a Spaniard, was proclaimed Emperor in Britain by the island's Roman garrison. With an army of British volunteers, he quickly conquered Gaul, Spain and Italy.	4th century
388	Maximus occupied Rome itself. Theodosius, the eastern Emperor, defeated him in battle and beheaded him in July, 388, with many of the remnant of Maximus' troops settling in Armorica. The net result to Britain was the loss of many valuable troops needed for the island's defense	4th century
394 - 406	Roman governor Chrysanthus	4th century
395	At this point the office of Roman Emperor changed from a position of absolute power to one of being merely a head of state.	4th century
396	The Roman general, Stilicho, acting as regent in the western empire during Honorius' minority, reorganized British defenses decimated by the Magnus Maximus debacle. Began transfer of military authority from Roman commanders to local British chieftains.	4th century
397	The Roman commander, Stilicho, comes to Britain and repels an attack by Picts, Irish and Saxons.	4th century
402	Events on the continent force Stilicho to recall one of the two British legions to assist with the defense of Italy against Alaric and the Visigoths.	5th century
403	Victricius, Bishop of Rouen, visited Britain for the purpose of bringing peace to the island's clergy, who were in the midst of a dispute, possibly over the Pelagian heresy.	5th century
406	A combined barbarian force (Suevi, Alans, Vandals & Burgundians) swept into central Gaul, severing contact between Rome and Britain. In autumn 406, the remaining Roman army in Britain decided to mutiny. One Marcus was proclaimed emperor in Britain, but was immediately assassinated.	5th century
406	Roman governor Marcus	5th century
407	Constantine III is the new emperor by Roman garrison in Britian. He proceeded to follow the example of Magnus Maximus by withdrawing the remaining Roman legion, the Second Augusta, and crossing over into Gaul to rally support for his cause. Constantine's departure could be what Nennius called "the end of the Roman Empire in Britain. . ."	5th century
408	With both Roman legions withdrawn, Britain endures devastating attacks by the Picts, Scots and Saxons.	5th century
409	Britons take matters into their own hands, expelling weak Roman officials and fighting for themselves.	5th century
410	Britain gains independence from Rome	5th century
429	Whilst effective Roman rule was over by 410 there was a visit by GERMANUS (Bishop of Auxerre) as late as 429. He visited twice after Roman rule and it is his accounts that tell us of conditions post Roman occupation. Germanus was here to combat the heresy of PELAGIUS and it is reasonable to assume hat Britain at this point was largely Christian. During his visits he participated in military victories over invasions by PICTS and SAXONS, the 'British' community perhaps already quite a mixture was sill holding-up and defending itself at this time.	5th century

Dip in and out of the latest articles and images and draw your own conclusions about the Roman invasion of Britain.

Roman Period in Britain

The Roman occupation of Britain changed the entire character of the land. What made the Romans invade in the first place? Verica, the exiled king of the Attrebates, was much put out by his situation and he called on the Emperor Claudius to help restore him. The effect of that was an invasion force of more than 20,000 men, dis-embarking on the shores of eastern England, sometime in April 43AD. The occupation lasted a period of about four hundred years and in that time the Britons and Romans settled down to a fairly peaceful existence. Nothing so peaceful happened straight away. In the first fifty years the Romans faced a serious revolt. The threat came from Boudica, who feared her territory being incorporated by the Romans. This was no mere scuffle, 80,000 Romans died and nearly the same number of Britons.

Roman infrastructure grew

In the following two hundred years things settled down, towns grew, a road network was developed and trade routes were established to service the Roman troops. The Roman presence went some way to preventing Britain from being attacked by northern tribes. When the Romans left, Britain was laid bare to raids from Germanic tribes and maybe that is why there is such a dark void of information in the period when the Romans retreated.

The Romans built an infrastructure in the country. They linked important settlements and fortifications with well built roads which can still be seen radiating out from major Roman settlements like spokes on a wheel. Winchester maps illustrate this perfectly, with Roman roads radiating out in all directions.

There are many Roman remains in Britain, from the mighty Hadrians Wall, the Roman northern frontier, to the great Roman cities such as Bath and Chichester, small villas and grand villas such as Fishbourne in West Sussex. The archaeological finds of coins, glass and pottery show just how much development took place in Britain at that time.

It appears however that when the Roman occupation ended, the Britons reasserted their own culture. Many of the Roman buildings appear to have been demolished and re-used to create new dwellings. City walls such as those at Winchester gradually fell away until very little was left. Other useful structures continued to be used. The shore fort of Portchester maintains it's magnificent Roman walls.