New
New
Year 4

The Roman invasion of Britain

I can explain how the Romans invaded Britain during the reign of Emperor Claudius.

New
New
Year 4

The Roman invasion of Britain

I can explain how the Romans invaded Britain during the reign of Emperor Claudius.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Emperor Claudius ordered the invasion of Britain in 43 CE to secure his position as emperor.
  2. The invasion was very successful due to the strengths of the Ancient Roman army.
  3. Ancient Roman legionaries were highly trained, well equipped and disciplined soldiers.
  4. The legionaries used superior tactics alongside fort building to defeat the British tribes.

Keywords

  • Triumph - a triumph was a celebration in the streets of Rome when the emperor returned from winning a war

  • Invade - to go somewhere with an army to try to take over is to invade

  • Legionaries - legionaries were well-trained Ancient Roman soldiers

  • Tactics - plans an army uses to defeat their enemies are called tactics

Common misconception

Pupils may think that the people of Britain formed a united kingdom at this time.

Remind pupils that 1st century CE Britain was made up of various Celtic people, kingdoms and tribes.

When discussing Ancient Roman legionaries, compare them to other soldiers and warriors pupils have learnt about in previous units.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • 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.
When did Rome become an empire?
264 BCE
55 BCE
1 CE
Correct answer: 27 BCE
Q2.
How many times did Caesar try to invade Britain?
1
Correct answer: 2
3
4
Q3.
What does inequality mean?
The food is of poor quality.
Correct answer: Some people are treated better than others.
It is the value of Roman coins in other countries.
The voting process is free and fair.
Q4.
Who became the first ruler of the Roman Empire?
Julius Caesar
Correct answer: Augustus
Romulus
Lucius Tarquinius Superbus
Q5.
What role did the Senate play in the Roman Empire?
Correct answer: The Senate had less power than the emperor.
The emperor had to listen to the Senate.
The Senate and the emperor had the same power.
The Senate no longer existed.
Q6.
Roman emperors had strengthened their position through .
trade
Correct answer: conquest
parties

6 Questions

Q1.
Why did Claudius want to invade Britain?
Britain had attacked the Roman Empire.
Britain was very wealthy.
Correct answer: He needed to prove his strength.
Q2.
Roman emperors held a when they returned to Rome after they had won a war.
Correct Answer: triumph
Q3.
Which of these best describes the Celtic tribes of Britain?
Peaceful and united
Correct answer: Warlike and dangerous
Disorganised and cowardly
Q4.
A Roman legionary carried which three of these things?
Correct answer: A sword
A saddle
Correct answer: A shield
Correct answer: A javelin
A chariot
Q5.
Roman legionaries used a tactic called the...
Correct Answer: testudo, tortoise
Q6.
To protect themselves, Roman legionaries built __________.
Correct answer: forts
castles
towns

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