British Invasion - The Pax Romana Podcast 14

Much of what we’ve talked about on this podcast has been focused on events in Rome, and especially with the major players in what would become Rome’s first imperial dynasty. But during the reign of Claudius, the Roman legions invaded the island of Great Britain, and this monumental event gives us an opportunity to better understand the wrecking ball that was the Roman military. Claudius never had the senate on his side, but his successes in Great Britain made many Romans feel like Rome was winning again—that lost glory was being restored. Why did the Romans want to conquer Britain, and how did they do it? We’ll answer those questions on this episode of the Pax Romana Podcast.

Primary Sources Referenced:

Julius Caesar, The Gallic Wars 4.23.

Tacitus, Agricola 13.

Cassius Dio, Roman History 60.19.

Statue of Claudius Conquering Britannia.Buy Professor Elliott's newest book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pox Romana: The Plague that Shook the Roman World⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, published by Princeton University Press.