New
New
Year 5

Britain at the end of Roman rule

I can describe the different groups that lived in the British Isles at the end of Roman rule in Britain.

New
New
Year 5

Britain at the end of Roman rule

I can describe the different groups that lived in the British Isles at the end of Roman rule in Britain.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In 367 CE, the Scots from Ireland and Picts from Scotland came together to attack Roman Britain but were defeated.
  2. In 401 CE, the last Roman legionaries left Hadrian’s Wall, built over 200 years before to protect the northern frontier.
  3. Much of south-east England and the Midlands had a Romano-British culture.
  4. Wales and the north and south-west of England had less Romanisation.
  5. Scotland was mostly controlled by the Celtic Picts.

Keywords

  • Hadrian’s Wall - Hadrian's Wall was a long wall the Romans built in the north of England to defend it from Celtic tribes

  • Frontier - a frontier is the edge of a place where people live or the border of a state or an empire’s land

  • Romanisation - Romanisation is when people started living and acting like the Romans did

  • Romano-British - Romano-British culture is a mix of Roman and old British ways of living

Common misconception

Pupils may believe the Scots tribe were originally from Scotland.

The Scots tribe originated from Ireland but the name 'Scotland' comes from the tribe after they migrated there.

In the slides discussing Romano-British culture, you may wish to add or discuss more examples from your local context or setting.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which Roman emperor successfully invaded Britain in 43 CE?
Julius Caesar
Nero
Correct answer: Claudius
Q2.
When was the first (unsuccessful) invasion of Roman Britain?
Correct answer: 55 BCE
40 CE
50 BCE
45 CE
Q3.
Around the time of the Roman invasion, how was Britain ruled?
a unified kingdom with one king or queen
a structured republic similar to Rome
Correct answer: multiple tribes with their own leaders
Q4.
Who was the leader of the Iceni tribe that fought back against Roman rule?
Correct answer: Boudicca
Hadrian
Brennus
Ambiorix
Q5.
From earliest to latest, order these events in Roman Britain.
1 - establishment of Londinium (London)
2 - Boudicca's revolt against Roman rule
3 - building of Hadrian's Wall
4 - the Romans left Britain
Q6.
In Roman settlements, what place was the heart of public social life, where people would shop, talk and conduct business?
Correct Answer: Forum, the forum

6 Questions

Q1.
What tribes attacked Roman Britain in 367 CE?
Correct answer: Picts
Iceni
Dumnonii
Correct answer: Scots
Q2.
When did the last Roman soldiers leave Hadrian’s Wall?
391 CE
Correct answer: 401 CE
411 CE
Q3.
In which areas was Romano-British culture more popular?
Correct answer: South-East England
Wales
Scotland
Correct answer: The Midlands
Northern England
Q4.
was built to mark the northern frontier of Roman Britain.
Correct Answer: Hadrian's Wall, hadrian's wall, Hadrians Wall, hadrians wall
Q5.
What does 'Romanisation' mean?
how Romans attacked in battle
Correct answer: when people started living and acting like the Romans did
how a Roman ruler was chosen
Q6.
What examples of Romano-British culture still exist today?
Correct answer: parts of the English language
the harvest festival
Correct answer: remains of Roman-built structures
sports like football

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