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.]
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