Level 3 - Life in Roman Sussex - Invasion & Consolidation

Invasion & Consolidation

Claudian Conquest

The flight of the Atrebatic king Verica to Rome to ask for help against Catuvellauni aggression is often seen as the catalyst that resulted in the invasion of Britain. The newly raised Emperor Claudius was a man struggling to gain respect and credibility, especially with the army legions, whose allegiance was vital if power was to be maintained. A large military victory was a sure way of gaining their support, and the pleas of Verica therefore provided an ideal opportunity.

Emperor Claudius

The traditional view of the AD 43 invasion is that the Roman forces - which probably consisted of around 40, 000 men - crossed in three separate divisions, with the main force landing at Richborough in Kent. However, an alternative explanation has been put forward to suggest that the primary force may have landed in the Chichester harbour region, where it could expect to receive political support from Verica's people. There is archaeological evidence for conquest period military activity at both sites.