Touched By The Romans

Even today, Colchester’s links to the Romans are clearly evident and scratching the surface of this vibrant and modern town soon takes you on a tangible journey of discovery into this ancient past

- Petra Hornsby

The question, ‘What did the Romans ever do for us?’ was famously asked by one of the characters during Monty Python’s The Life of Brian film, and particularly in Colchester, there is much that we might feel we owe to the Roman invasion.

Of course, ‘gifting’ Britain things wasn’t first and foremost on the mind of Emperor Julius Caesar when he and his army visited Britain for the first time in 55 BC. It might have been a retaliation for British Celts helping the Gauls (or the French as we know them now) in their struggle against the Romans, but it is more likely that they invaded to plunder the land and help themselves to the rich resources of iron, lead, zinc, copper, silver, and gold.

Caesar’s second invasion in 54 BC involved five legions of soldiers and cavalrymen, disembarking on the Kent coast then crossing the River Thames and engaging in fierce fighting with the defending Celtic tribes. Overwhelmed, the tribes agreed to submit to Rome and, as a reward, were then left in peace for almost a century.

In 43 AD, Emperor Claudius organized a third assault on Britain. Local tribes put up a spirited defense against the Romans but after four years, southern England was largely under Roman control, although it would take several more years for the invading army to extend this control westwards and northwards. Once settled as far north as the Scottish border, they stayed for almost 400 years, finally returning to Rome in 410 AD when their soldiers were desperately needed there to defend against tribal attacks from Goths and Vandals.