The following chronology of Roman Britain is reproduced from Map of Roman Britain, 3rd edn (Chessington: Ordnance Survey, 1956), pp. 15–16. This work is in the public domain and can be accessed online via Internet Archive.
B.C. 55–54
Expeditions of Julius Caesar to Britain.
A.D. 43
Claudian invasion with four legions under Aulus Plautius.
Defeat of Caratacus and capture of Camulodunum.
Campaigns in the west (Legio II Augusta under Vespasian), in the midlands (XX Valeria Victrix and XIV Gemina), and in the east (IX Hispana).
Defeat of Caratacus and capture of Camulodunum.
Campaigns in the west (Legio II Augusta under Vespasian), in the midlands (XX Valeria Victrix and XIV Gemina), and in the east (IX Hispana).
47
Ostorius Scapula, governor, draws a frontier from the Trent to the Severn.
49–50
Foundation of Colonia Victricensis at Camulodunum.
Mendip lead mines already in Roman hands.
Legionary fortresses at Glevum and Lindum.
Invasion of South Wales.
Mendip lead mines already in Roman hands.
Legionary fortresses at Glevum and Lindum.
Invasion of South Wales.
51
Caratacus, finally defeated in North Wales, flees to Cartimandua, Queen of the Brigantes, and is surrendered to the Romans.
c. 55
Didius Gallus, governor, intervenes on the side of Cartimandua in Brigantian civil war.
61
Suetonius Paulinus, governor, attacks Anglesey.
Icenian revolt under Boudicca suppressed after sack of Camulodunum, Londinium and Verulamium.
Icenian revolt under Boudicca suppressed after sack of Camulodunum, Londinium and Verulamium.
66
One legion (XIV Gemina) withdrawn from Britain.
68
Army in Britain refuses to join the governor, Trebellius Maximus, in revolt against Galba.
69
Romans fail to prevent the defection of the Brigantes.
71–74
Petilius Cerealis, governor, with a new legion (II Adiutrix) conquers the Brigantes.
Legionary fortress at Eburacum.
Legionary fortress at Eburacum.
74–78
Sextus Julius Frontinus, governor, subdues Wales and plants garrisons there.
Legionary fortresses at Isca and Deva.
Legionary fortresses at Isca and Deva.
78
Cn. Julius Agricola, governor, completes the conquest of North Wales and Anglesey.
79
Consolidation of Brigantian conquest.
81
Agricola advances to the Forth—Clyde line.
83–84
Agricola advances north and defeats the Caledonians at the battle of Mons Graupius.
Roman fleet circumnavigates Britain.
Legionary fortress at Inchtuthil.
Roman fleet circumnavigates Britain.
Legionary fortress at Inchtuthil.
84–85
Agricola recalled by Domitian.
86
One legion (II Adiutrix) withdrawn from Britain.
c. 90
Legionary fortress at Inchtuthil evacuated.
90–96
Foundation of Lindum Colonia at Lincoln.
96–98
Foundation of Colonia Nervia Glevensis at Gloucester.
99–100
Legionary fortress at Isca and many auxiliary forts in Wales rebuilt in stone.
Scottish forts evacuated.
Scottish forts evacuated.
c. 103
Legionary fortress at Deva rebuilt in stone.
107–108
Legionary fortress at Eburacum rebuilt in stone.
c. 117
Revolt in north Britain.
122
Hadrian visits Britain.
Legio IX Hispana replaced by VI Victrix.
Construction of Hadrian's Wall from Tyne to Solway begun by Aulus Platorius Nepos.
Legio IX Hispana replaced by VI Victrix.
Construction of Hadrian's Wall from Tyne to Solway begun by Aulus Platorius Nepos.
139–142
Q. Lollius Urbicus, governor under Antoninus Pius, advances into Scotland and builds the Antonine Wall across the Clyde-Forth isthmus.
155–158
Rebellion in north Britain suppressed by C. Julius Verus.
Antonine Wall temporarily evacuated.
Antonine Wall temporarily evacuated.
161–165
Forts rebuilt by Calpurnius Agricola.
180–184
Further revolt in north Britain subdued by Ulpius Marcellus.
Antonine Wall broken.
Antonine Wall broken.
193
On the assassination of Commodus, Pertinax (lately governor of Britain) is chosen emperor by the Praetorian Guard but quickly killed. Empire auctioned to Didius Julianus, who is defeated by Severus.
196–197
Clodius Albinus, governor, takes troops from Britain to fight for the throne and is defeated by Severus.
Hadrian’s Wall, the fortress at Eburacum and many forts overrun and destroyed by the Maeatae.
Hadrian’s Wall, the fortress at Eburacum and many forts overrun and destroyed by the Maeatae.
197
Virius Lupus restores the situation and rebuilds many forts.
205–208
Rebuilding of Hadrian's Wall by Alfenus Senecio.
208
Severus, Geta and Caracalla arrive in Britain and prepare for northern campaigning.
209
Severus and Caracalla campaign in Scotland and receive the surrender of the Caledonians.
210
Revolt of the Maeatae and second Scottish campaign.
211
Severus dies at York.
Withdrawal to Hadrian’s Wall and organization of southern Scotland as a protectrate.
Withdrawal to Hadrian’s Wall and organization of southern Scotland as a protectrate.
212
Caracalla extends Roman citizenship to all free provincials.
Britain divided into two provinces.
Britain divided into two provinces.
259–274
Britain a part of the Gallic Empire of Postumus and his successors.
275–287
Saxon pirates in the Channel.
287
Carausius, commander of the British fleet, usurps the title of Emperor in Britain and northern Gaul and is temporarily recognised by Diocletian and Maximian.
293
Constantius as Caesar reconquers Carausius' continental possessions.
294
Carausius murdered by Allectus, who succeeds him.
296
Britain restored to the legitimate emperors by Constantius, who crosses the Channel and defeats and kills Allectus.
Barbarian inroads in the north.
Hadrian's Wall and legionary fortresses at Eburacum and Deva rebuilt.
Diocletain's reorganisation divides Britain into four provinces, separates the military from the civil administration and institutes new military offices.
Barbarian inroads in the north.
Hadrian's Wall and legionary fortresses at Eburacum and Deva rebuilt.
Diocletain's reorganisation divides Britain into four provinces, separates the military from the civil administration and institutes new military offices.
306
Constantius, now emperor, with his son Constantine campaigns in Scotland.
Death of Constantius at Eburacum.
Death of Constantius at Eburacum.
313
Edict of Milan grants toleration to the Christian Church.
314
Three British bishops attend the Council of Arles.
343
Constans visits Britain and pacifies the Scottish tribes.
360
Julian sends Lupicinus to repel raids of Picts and Scots.
364
Picts, Scots, Attacotti and Saxons raiding Britain.
367
Great invasion of Picts, Scots and Attacotti, aided by Saxon pirates and a simultaneous attack on Gaul by Franks.
Treachery in the Wall garrison. Nectaridus, Count of the Saxon Shore, killed and Fullofaudes, Duke of Britain, routed.
Treachery in the Wall garrison. Nectaridus, Count of the Saxon Shore, killed and Fullofaudes, Duke of Britain, routed.
369
Count Theodosius, sent by Valentinian I, clears Britain of invaders and restores the Wall.
Signal stations built on Yorkshire coast.
Signal stations built on Yorkshire coast.
383
Magnus Maximus, a military commander in Britain, revolts and conquers Gaul and Spain from Gratian.
Hadrian's Wall swamped by invaders and not rebuilt.
Hadrian's Wall swamped by invaders and not rebuilt.
388
Maximus defeated at Aquileia by Theodosius.
395
Stilicho improves the defences of Britain.
406
Constantine III, a usurper, strips Britain of troops for his conquest of Gaul and Spain.
410
Honorius tells the civitates of Britain to arrange for their own safety.
c. 446
Last appeal of the British civitates to Aetius.