Midway
through
the Gallic Wars (58-50 BC), in order to attempt to secure the northern
frontier
for Gaul, Julius Caesar invaded southern Britain in 55 and 54 BC.
Britain
in the first century BC was settled by Iron Age societies, many closely
tied
to the Celtic tribes of northern France. The Cantiaci in Kent were very
highly
regarded by Caesar, who called them the most civilized group in
Britain.
Among the Celtic tribes on both sides of the channel were the Atrebates, who formed a large dynasty in southern Britain rivalling the kingdoms of the Trinovantes and Catuvellauni along the Thames. The Roman legions pursued and eventually defeated the war leader Cassivellaunus in 54 BC near St.Albans.
[Fig.1: Tribes in Northern Gaul during Caesar's Invasions of Britain, 55-54 BC.]
..
Athena Review Image Archive™ | Guide to Archaeology on the Internet | Paleoanthropology in the News | Free Issue
Main
index of Athena
Review |
Subject Index
| Travel
Pages |
Galleries and
Museums |