The third Roman Invasion

istory has a way of repeating itself, as Julius Caesar found out on his two forays to Britain. When a third expedition became known to the military, a problem arose in that they were unhappy about leaving Rome again to travel to such a hostile and far away place. Even so, a well equipped and trained force of 20 to 25 thousand men were assembled comprising of 3 or 4 legions. There is a story of an ex slave named Narcissus who addressed the legions on behalf of the commander to drum up support for the expedition. He was taunted with the cry of Io Saturnalia , which was a festival where the slaves don the clothes of their masters. Despite all of this and because of their training and discipline, the force departed for Britain. The Romans eventually landed in Kent as before but somewhat later in the season. At this time, the south of England was ruled by a tribal chief named Cunobelinus ( who was later portrayed in the Shakespeare play, Cymbeline ). Unlike Caesar's invasions, Cunobelinus assumed that Britain was safe from further incursions and had no need to rally a nation-wide fighting force to take the Romans on. He also was getting quite old and had no stomach for a fight. His capital is known today as Colchester. The Romans landed un-opposed. Cunobelinus had two sons named Caractacus and Togodumnus and it was left to them to put up minimal resistance to the advancing Romans in Kent. They were soon captured. The commander of the Roman force was named Plautius. the British, having no defined tactics, fought as Cassivellaunus did, with chariots and horses a hundred years previous. The lack of any battle plan soon led to disaster. Advancing through Kent , Plautius came to a wide river which is now the Medway. The British feeling confident after fording it, camped for the night assuming the Romans would not attempt to cross it straight away. Unknown to the British, a detachment of German conscripts in full armour waded and swam across. They did not battle with the British, but cut the ropes and shackles of their chariots to make them useless and at the same time, mutilated or killed the horses, thus destroying any tactical advantage the Britons may have had. The effect was to cut off their retreat on horseback. On the following day, the British fought the Romans hand to hand and narrowly lost the advantage due to a flank attack. This victory was not how the Romans had planned it. It was too quick, too inglorious. you do not win a country in two days. Claudius was in France at this time, awaiting news of the events taking place across the English Channel. After being informed of the victory, he immediately sailed for England with a large number of reinforcements. Claudius returned to Rome and was awarded the title of Britannicus. This was the end of any major uprising to the Roman occupation. The battle still went on however. The British retreated into the undergrowth and waged counter attacks as the situation presented itself. In the meantime Caractacus escaped from the Roman grasp and fled to Wales where he rallied new forces from the west and north. He was finally betrayed six years later, in A.D. 50, by a northern queen and handed over to Plautius's replacement Ostorius. By this time, his fame had reached Rome. He was immediately transported there with his wife and daughter where he was paraded through the streets like a caged animal. He was finally presented to Emperor Claudius. Here he addressed Claudius.

f to my high birth and distinguished rank I had added the virtues of moderation Rome had held me more as a friend than a captive, and you would have rejected an alliance with a prince descended from illustrious ancestors and governing many nations. The reverse of my fortune to you is glorious, and to me humiliating. I had arms and men and horses; I possessed extraordinary riches; and can it be any wonder that I was unwilling to lose them? Because Rome aspires to universal dominion must men therefore implicitly resign themselves to subjection? I opposed for a long time the progress of your arms, and had I acted otherwise would either you have had the glory of conquest or I of brave resistance? I am now in your power. If you decide to take revenge my fate will soon be forgotten, and you will derive no pleasure from the transaction. Preserve my life, and I shall remain to the latest ages a monument to your clemency.

After hearing this appeal - He was set free.