Britain’s first direct Roman contact had come…

Britain’s first direct Roman contact had come when the Roman general and future dictator, Julius Caesar, made two expeditions to Britain in 55 and 54 BCE as an offshoot of his conquest of Gaul, believing the Britons had been helping the Gallic resistance.

The first expedition, more a reconnaissance than a full invasion, had gained a foothold on the coast of Kent but, undermined by storm damage to the ships and a lack of cavalry, had been unable to advance further.

The expedition had been a military failure but a political success: the Roman Senate had declared a twenty-day public holiday in Rome in honor of this unprecedented achievement.

In his second invasion, Caesar had taken with him a substantially larger force and proceeded to coerce or invite many of the native tribes to pay tribute and give hostages in return for peace.

A friendly local king, Mandubracius, had been installed, and his rival, Cassivellaunus, had been brought to terms.

Hostages were taken, but historians disagree over whether the tribute agreed was paid by the Britons after Caesar's return to Gaul.

Caesar had conquered no territory but had established clients on the island and brought Britain into Rome's sphere of political influence.