BRITAIN’S PREHISTORY AND ROMAN BRITAIN
1.Make a list of the islands first settlers, their time of settlement and key features.
Britain's Prehistory:
1. Mesolithic Hunters (c. 10,000 BC): The earliest known inhabitants. They relied on hunting,
fishing, and gathering and left behind evidence of flint tools and seasonal camps.
2. Neolithic Farmers (c. 4000 BC): Introduced agriculture to Britain, cultivating crops and
domesticating animals. Stonehenge, a megalithic monument, is one of the most iconic remains
from this era.
3. Bronze Age (c. 2200 BC): Saw the use of metalworking techniques to create tools, weapons, and
ornaments. Burial mounds (barrows) and the construction of hill forts marked this period.
4. Iron Age (c. 800 BC): Were known for their distinctive roundhouses, hillforts, and the emergence
of Celtic culture. Tribes like the Celts inhabited the land.
Roman Britain:
1. Roman Invasion (43 AD): The Romans, under Emperor Claudius, invaded 43 AD. They
established a province called Britannia, and the first Roman settlement was at Camulodunum.
2. Roman Towns: The Romans founded several towns and cities, including Londinium (London),
(York), and (Chester). These towns had paved streets, public baths, and temples.
3. Hadrian's Wall (c. 122 AD): Emperor Hadrian ordered the construction of Hadrian's Wall in the
north of England to defend against northern tribes. It stretched across the width of Britain.
4. Roman Economy: Romans introduced a monetized economy to Britain, with coins and trade.
The production of pottery, metalwork, and glass flourished during this period.
5. Roman Religion: The Romans brought their religion to Britain, with temples and cults dedicated
to Jupiter and Minerva. Local Celtic were often syncretized with Roman gods.
6. End of Roman Rule (c. 410 AD): Roman rule in Britain started to decline in the early 5th century,
with the Roman legions being withdrawn from the island. This marked the beginning of the
Anglo-Saxon settlement.
2. Mark the differences among the first inhabitants.
---Mesolithic Hunters vs. Neolithic Farmers:
Lifestyle and Subsistence:
Mesolithic Hunters: Were nomadic hunter-gatherers that relied on hunting, fishing, and gathering wild
plants and animals for their food.
Neolithic Farmers: Practiced agriculture transitioning to a more settled lifestyle. They cultivated crops
like wheat and domesticated animals like cattle and sheep.
Technology:
Mesolithic Hunters: They used flint tools for hunting and butchering.
Neolithic Farmers: Neolithic people developed more advanced tools, including polished stone
implements and pottery for cooking and storage.
Settlements:
Mesolithic Hunters: They often lived in temporary shelters, moving to follow the availability of food.
Neolithic Farmers: Built permanent houses and began constructing megalithic monuments.
---Neolithic Farmers vs. Bronze Age People:
Agriculture and Technology:
Neolithic Farmers: Introduced agriculture to Britain, with crops and domesticated animals.
Bronze Age People: Continued farming but developed more advanced metalworking techniques.
Monuments:
Neolithic Farmers: They built monuments like Stonehenge, associated with religious or astronomical
significance.
Bronze Age People: Saw the creation of burial mounds (barrows) and the construction of hill forts for
defensive purposes.
---Bronze Age People vs. Iron Age Celts:
Metalworking and Warfare:
Bronze Age People: They were known for bronze tools and weapons.
Iron Age Celts: The Celts of the Iron Age had advanced ironworking skills, leading to the use of iron tools
and weapons.
Settlements and Society:
Bronze Age People: They often lived in hill forts and practiced a hierarchical society. Iron Age Celts: Celtic
society was characterized by roundhouses, hillforts, and a tribal structure. They had a distinct culture
and art.
3.Roman invasion periods.
1. First Invasion (43 AD): Emperor: Emperor Claudius. Significance: They established a foothold and
pushed inland, eventually leading to the conquest of southern Britain.
2. Boudiccan Revolt (60-61 AD): Leader: Queen Boudica of the Iceni tribe. Significance: Queen Boudica
led a major rebellion against Roman rule, resulting in the destruction of several Roman towns and
legions. However, the Romans eventually defeated the rebellion and reasserted control.
3. Agricola's Campaigns (77-85 AD): Governor: Gnaeus Julius Agricola. Significance: Agricola, a Roman
governor, led a series of campaigns in northern Britain, making significant advances into Scotland
and consolidating Roman control in the north.
4. Hadrian's Wall (c. 122 AD): Emperor: Emperor Hadrian. Significance: Emperor Hadrian ordered the
construction of Hadrian's Wall, a defensive fortification that was intended to protect against
northern tribes and control trade and movement.
5. Antonine Wall (142-154 AD): Emperor: Emperor Antoninus Pius. Significance: The Antonine Wall,
farther north than Hadrian's Wall, was briefly established as the northern frontier but was later
abandoned in favor of Hadrian's Wall.
6. End of Roman Rule (early 5th century AD): Roman rule in Britain began to decline in the early 5th
century, with the Roman legions being withdrawn from the island due to threats from other parts of
the Roman Empire. This marked the beginning of the Anglo-Saxon and Viking invasions
4.Define "client kingdom".
A client kingdom is one where the ruling monarch or regime is either installed or kept in power by
another state. In return, that monarch or regime is expected to co operate with the installing power. The
Romans did it all of the time.
5.Causes of conquest and retreat and defeat of the Britons.
Causes of Conquest:
a) Roman Military Superiority: The Romans had a well-organized military with advanced tactics,
weapons, and infrastructure, giving them a military advantage over the Britons.
b) Political Divisions: The Britons were not a unified entity but a collection of tribes and kingdoms with
varying levels of cooperation. This disunity made it easier for the Romans to conquer individual
territories.
c) Technological Advancements: The Romans possessed advanced technology which allowed them to
wage successful military campaigns and control territory more effectively.
Causes of Retreat:
a) Logistical Challenges: Maintaining control over the entire island of Britain proved difficult for the
Romans due to the long supply lines and the need to defend far-flung frontiers.
b) Barbarian Invasions: The Roman Empire faced threats from other parts of the empire, leading to the
withdrawal of legions from Britain to defend the mainland.
c) Rebellion and Unrest: Internal uprisings by local tribes and leaders further strained Roman control,
prompting the need for troops in other areas.
Causes of Defeat:
a) Anglo-Saxon Invasions: After the Roman withdrawal in the early 5th century, Britain faced invasions
from Anglo-Saxon and Viking groups.
b) Cultural and Technological Differences: The Anglo-Saxons and Vikings had different languages,
cultures, compared to the Britons, making it challenging for the native Britons to resist effectively.
c) Loss of Roman Infrastructure: With the Roman withdrawal, the Britons lost the benefits of Roman
governance, including the protection, road networks, which made them vulnerable to invasions.
d) Continued Fragmentation: The Britons remained divided and lacked a unified response to the
invading forces, weakening their ability to resist.
6.Examples of resistance (Boudica, attacks on western shores.)
a) Boudica's Revolt (60-61 AD): The Iceni queen, Boudicca, rebelled against Roman rule. She wanted to
liberate her people and her family, as well as the people of her tribe. Boudicca led a large-scale
rebellion against Roman troops, destroying several Roman cities. Although Roman forces under the
command of Paulinus eventually crushed Boudicca's rebellion, her rebellion continues to be seen as
a sign of resistance to Roman rule in Britain.
b) Viking Attacks on Western Shores (8th to 11th centuries): Viking was a group of people who came
from Scandinavia, mainly the Norwegians, Danes and Swedes. They invaded different parts of
Britain, including what's now England, Scotland and Wales, as well as Ireland. They invaded the west
coast of the UK and Ireland, usually attacking monasteries, cities and coastal towns. This caused a lot
of changes in the area, and some towns and cities were built. Eventually, the people of the area
fought back and the Vikings were driven out, leading to the unification of England.
7.Describe the Roman Legacy in England.
a) Infrastructure: The Romans introduced advanced engineering and construction techniques, leaving
behind well-built roads, bridges, and fortifications like Hadrian's Wall.
b) Urbanization: Roman towns and cities, such as Londinium (London), played a significant role in
shaping the urban landscape of England.
c) Language: Latin, the Roman language, contributed to the development of the English language,
particularly through loanwords and linguistic influences.
d) Architecture: Roman architectural styles, like arches and columns, continue to influence English
buildings, especially in churches and public structures.
e) Law and Governance: The Roman legal system and concepts of governance, including the idea of a
centralized administration, have had a lasting impact on English institutions.
f) Commerce: The Romans introduced organized trade, infrastructure for transportation, and a
standardized currency system, which shaped England's economic activities.
g) Cultural and Religious Influence: Roman art, literature, and early Christian practices influenced
English culture and religion.
h) Agriculture and Technology: Roman agricultural practices, including crop cultivation and engineering
innovations, contributed to agricultural development.
i) Education and Literacy: Roman-style schools and a focus on education played a role in the
development of education and literacy in England.
