BC70-51 Julius Caesar Conquers France
The twenty years from 70-51 BC were dominated by the exploits of Julius Caesar (pictured).
In 58 BC Julius Caesar conquered Gaul (France) and as general of the Roman armies in Gaul he then decided, in 54 BC, to invade Britain in order to secure Gaul for Rome. The Celts in Gaul had been receiving aid from their close relations in southern England, British Celts may even have fought with related tribes in Gaul against the Romans and, most importantly, defeated Gauls would slip away to Britain to regroup.
Caesar's invasion of Brtain was successful but inconclusive. Landing in Kent, he did battle with several tribes and the following year, in 55 BC, he returned and easily defeated King Cassivellaunus, a tribal chief. After exacting a promise of tribute from the defeated tribes, Julius Caesar left. His real prize was Gaul and that's where he wanted to be.
After Julius Caesar left, contacts between Rome and Celtic Britain grew. Trade flourished, and some Celtic princes were sent to Rome to be educated. With Roman influence, the notion that kingship should be hereditary, rather than a title awarded for the best warrior, was taking hold in Britain. If princes could flee to Rome to appeal for help in succession squabbles, not only would the Celtic tribes have weak kings but they would also be inviting foreign rule.
During Julius Caesar consulship in 59 BC, he was charged with violating the Roman constitution but he remained immune from trial as long as he held governorship. His governship expired at the end of 49 BC and hanging over his head during all of this time was the question whether or not he could stand for the consulship of 48 BC in absentia and maintain his immunity.
In other parts of the Empire, Pompey established the province of Syria in 64 BC.
In 58 BC Julius Caesar conquered Gaul (France) and as general of the Roman armies in Gaul he then decided, in 54 BC, to invade Britain in order to secure Gaul for Rome. The Celts in Gaul had been receiving aid from their close relations in southern England, British Celts may even have fought with related tribes in Gaul against the Romans and, most importantly, defeated Gauls would slip away to Britain to regroup.
Caesar's invasion of Brtain was successful but inconclusive. Landing in Kent, he did battle with several tribes and the following year, in 55 BC, he returned and easily defeated King Cassivellaunus, a tribal chief. After exacting a promise of tribute from the defeated tribes, Julius Caesar left. His real prize was Gaul and that's where he wanted to be.
After Julius Caesar left, contacts between Rome and Celtic Britain grew. Trade flourished, and some Celtic princes were sent to Rome to be educated. With Roman influence, the notion that kingship should be hereditary, rather than a title awarded for the best warrior, was taking hold in Britain. If princes could flee to Rome to appeal for help in succession squabbles, not only would the Celtic tribes have weak kings but they would also be inviting foreign rule.
During Julius Caesar consulship in 59 BC, he was charged with violating the Roman constitution but he remained immune from trial as long as he held governorship. His governship expired at the end of 49 BC and hanging over his head during all of this time was the question whether or not he could stand for the consulship of 48 BC in absentia and maintain his immunity.
In other parts of the Empire, Pompey established the province of Syria in 64 BC.
Labels: bc70, cassivellaunus, celts, julius caesar, pompey, syria
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