Ancient Essay

Romanization of Britain

The Romanization of Britain took place over time of conquered battles won by the romans whose culture forced its way through Britain. 55 BC was the first attack on Britain by Roman Emperor Julius Ceaser. It was then in 54 BC Julius Ceaser came back but with Cassivellaunus a famous Chieftain and had invaded once again. The intentions of firstly ever coming to Britain were simply to explore nature and land, but ever so quickly the Britain’s absorbed the Roman Culture. From art to religion the Roman culture began to spread.

Tacitus is a name that is widely discussed over the topic of Romanization. Tacitus was a Roman Senator and historian. He is famous for literature of major pieces one being Life of Agricola. Source A is a quote from this book and gives us written evidence of a primary source that supports the Romanization of Britain. Agricola was a Roman soldier who became a governor of Britain and Conquered the North including Scotland and Wales. This written source we are provided with shows the encouragement Agricola had to build on Britain Land and have that Roman power and influence to be brought upon the British. He encouraged building Temples, which would have influenced the religion of Britons greatly as British people would now have a new perspective of religious views. Also Agricola encouraged the building of houses, this is when the influence of foods and way of Roman living was absorbed.

Aquae Sulis is a small town in Brittiana, which is an ancient term for Roman Britain. It is a complex bathhouse built around natural hot springs and it is surrounded by country villas and several temples. Source B is a secondary sourced photograph of the Baths today in Roman Britain. This photo is evidence of existing built architecture when Romanization was taking place. It provides us with proof of how architectural influence of Rome existed. In Rome before invasion into Britain they had their own style of baths such as the two famous ones Caracalla and Trajan. These two ancient sites are depicted as being archaeological evidence of Roman baths and so, this evidence is used to support the fact that the Caldarium in England today is pure evidence of roman architectural influence.

Boudicca was the Celtic Queen of the Iceni tribe of modern-day East Anglia, Britain, who led a revolt against Rome in 60-61 AD After Prasutagus had died the romans conquered his lands, his wife and two daughters were abused and then she began the revolt against Rome. Not only had the romans publicly embarrassed her and abused her daughters and also taken her land but their influence was spreading quickly throughout Britain and the revolt was also to gain her power back. Evidence from Dio Cassius and Tacitus provides us with proof of the revolt in their written literature. Romanisation was a factor of the revolt due to the roman soldiers conquering continuously throughout Britain and trying to overtake Boudicca and Iceni but she had fought back to claim back her land. But was unsuccessful and in defeat had committed suicide and poisoned herself.

By summer AD 100, the Romans influence is heavily spread through Britain. Everyday roman lifestyles are adapted by the Britons and the way houses are built all have the Roman influence.