Time Line |
1200-600 B.C. |
600-0 B.C. |
38-212 A.D. |
214-446 A.D. |
Celts Ending
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1200
Start of the Bronze Age Urnfield Culture in central Europe. |
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1000-750
Proto-Celtic people of the Urnfield culture dominate much of Continental Europe. Also start to spread out over northern
Asia as far as the frontiers of China. Development of the deliberate smelting of iron in the Middle East and China around
the same time. Prompting the title 'The Iron Age' for this period. |
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700-500
Hallstatt culture develops in Austria. |
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700
Early Celts in Austria bury iron swords with their dead. |
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600
Greeks found the colony of Massilia, opening up trade between the Celts of inland Europe and the Mediterranean.
First evidence of Britain having a name - Albion - (albino, white - called after the chalk-cliffs of Dover). A major rebuild of
old Bronze Age defenses, and construction of new hillforts takes place in Britain. |
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550-500
A princess in Vix (Burgundy) is buried with a 280 gallon bronze Greek vase, the largest ever made. 60 miles away a prince is
buried laid out on bronze chais-lounge in a hugh chamber tomb. |
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500
Trade between the Etruscans and the Celts begins. La Tene phase of Celtic culture spreads through Europe and into mainland Britain.
The Greeks record the name of a major tribe - The KELTOI - and this becomes the common name for all of the tribes.
Celts (the Gaels - from Galicia) arrive in Ireland from Spain. |
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400-100BC
La Tene culture spreads over Europe and into the British Isles. |
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400
Celts attack the Etruscan city of Clusium and Celts invade Italy and Cisalpine Gaul. |
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390
Raiding Celtic tribes under the leadership of Brennus ravage Rome and occupy the city for three months.
Offended by the dirty conditions of the city (they were country boys at heart) they demand a ransom to leave the Romans alone.
Brennus demands his weight in gold and when the Romans complain he throws his sword on the scales to be weighed as well with the
cry "VAE VICTUS" - (Woe to the Vanquished. |
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335
Alexander receives envoys from the Celts, and exchange pledges of alliance. Large numbers of Celtic Warriors join the Greeks
in a war against the Etruscans. |
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323
Alexander dies and the Celts push into Macedonia. |
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279
Celtic tribes invade Greece. |
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275
Celts establish the state of Galatia (Gauls across the alps) in northern Turkey. |
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230
Galatian Celts defeated in battle by Greek forces in Western Turkey. |
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225
Roman army routs invading Celtic Gauls at Telamon in central Italy. |
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200
The Celts establish permanent fortified settlements (Oppida, or towns). |
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191
Cisalpine Gaul is taken by the Romans. |
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121
Rome takes Province. |
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100
Belgae tribes migrate to Britain to escape Roman domination. |
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70
Druids (a fire cult from the Middle East) arrive in Britain and gain control of the ruling classes. |
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58
Julius Caesar is made governor of Province |
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58-51
Caesar's Gallic Wars |
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58
Helvettii in Switzerland are attacked by Germanic tribes led by Ariovistus and move to Gaul. Caesar follows them and defeats
them at Toulon-sur-Arroux. Dumnorix of the Aedui tries to lead resistance against the Romans and fails. |
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57
Caesar then turned his attention to the tribes of the Belgae and lays siege to their territory. By autumn, Caesar claims that
all the Gallic tribes are subjects of Rome. |
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56
The Veneti of Brittany seize two Roman envoys, and make a stand. After a long sea battle, Caesar executed the leaders and sold
the men of the tribe into slavery. |
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55
Julius Caesar tries to land in Britain and is pinned down on a beachhead for two months. His cavalry was seasick and was sent
back to Gaul. With the approaching Autumn gales he withdraws from Britain. |
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54
Caesar prepares another expedition to Britain and attempts to take Dumnorix as a hostage. Dumnorix refuses and the Romans kill him.
As he dies he cries "I am a freeman in a free state." Inspired by his actions, Ambiorix of the Eburones leads an attack against the
Roman garrison and massacres them. Ambiorix recruits the Belgic tribes, the Nervii and Aduatuci, and lay siege to the garrison at Namur.
The attack is so successful that Caesar himself had to lead the relieving army to drive them off. |
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53
The tribes of Gaul unite under the leadership of Indutiomarus of the Treveri. The Celtic army consisted of the Treveri, Senones,
Carnutes, Nervii, Aduatuci and Eburones. Indutiomarus attacks Caesar's headquarters at Mouzon and lays siege. After a great fight,
the Romans kill Indutiomarus. There then followed a number of uprisings among the tribes and Caesar has to work his way through the
tribes putting down revolts. Acco of the Senones and the Carnutes was flogged and then put to death. Ambiorix was trailed by a Roman
troop until he disappeared into the Ardennes forest, and was never heard from again. |
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52
A war leader called Vercingetorix (Read more about him) emerges to take control of the Celtic army. He maintains a running
battle from three successive hill forts. The last one was called Aelisia and Ceasar laid siege for three months with no effect
and had to defend himself from from constant attack by the Celtic warriors. Vercingetorix finely surrenders. |
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45
Caesar ordered that Vercingetorix was to be taken to Rome. He was paraded through the streets then executed as a dangerous
enemy of Rome. |
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0
Birth of Christ. (According to the church of Rome under Constantine) |
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38
Caligula parades Celtic captives through Rome. |
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39
The Catevaulauni under the Kingship of Cunobelinus and his sons Caratacus and Togidubnus, expand into the Atrebate
Hampshire) and the Trinovante (Suffolk). |
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41
Petition put in to Rome for assistance, turned down because of the civil wars in Rome. |
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43
Verica of the Atrebates petitions Claudius to come to Britain to help against the Catevaulauni.
Claudian invasion with four legions under Aulus Plautius. Defeat of Caratacus and capture of Camulodunum. Expansion into
the midlands (XX Valeria Victrix and XIV Gemina) and in the east (IX Hispana). Frontier established west of Fosse Way. Caractacus
escapes into the Welsh borders and fights the Romans using guerilla tactics. Once it is safe to do so, Claudius comes to Britain in
person to claim it for Rome. He rides an elephant into the new town of Londinium, stays for two weeks, then goes back home. |
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47
New governor, Ostorius Scapula, governor, draws a frontier from the Trent to the Severn. Campaigns in the west (Legio II Augusta
under Vespasian) |
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49
Colonia of Camulodonum (Colchester) founded. And Roman expansion starts into Wales |
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49
Foundation of Colonia Victricensis at Camulodunum. Mendip lead mines already in Roman hands.
Legionary fortresses at Glevum and Lindum. Invasion of South Wales. |
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50
Caratacus, finally defeated in North Wales, flees to Cartamandua, queen of the Brigantes, and is surrendered to the Romans. |
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52
New Governor, D. Gallus. |
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55
Didius Gallus, governor, intervenes on the side of Cartimandua in Brigantian civil war. |
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57
New Governor, Q. Veranius |
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58
New Governor, S. Paulinus, attack on N. Wales. |
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59-60
Suetonius clears Britain totally of the Druids, with a final stand on Anglsea. |
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60
Suetonius Paulinus, governor, attacks Anglesey. |
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60
Pratagustus of the Iceni dies and the Romans take his lands away from Boudica. |
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60-61
Boudica is elected war leader and leads a revolt against the Romans. (Read the story) Icenian revolt under Boudica suppressed
after sack of Camulodunum, Londinium and Verulamium. |
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63
New Governor, T. Maximus. |
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65
Preparations for campaigns in Wales. |
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66
One legion (XIV Gemina) withdrawn from Britain. |
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68
Army in Britain refuses to join the governor, Trebellius Maximus, in revolt against Galba. |
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69
Romans fail to prevent the defection of the Brigantes. |
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69
Civil Wars, New Governor, V. Bolanus. |
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71
New Governor, P. Cerialis. Conquest of Brigantia, capture of Stanwick? |
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71-74
Petilius Cerealis, governor, with a new legion (II Adiutrix) conquers the Brigantes. Legionary fortress at Eburacum. |
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74-78
Sextus Julius Frontinus, governor, subdues Wales and plants garrisons there. Legionary fortresses at Isca and Deva. |
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78
Julius Agricola, governor, completes the conquest of North Wales and Anglesey. |
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79
Consolidation of Brigantian conquest. |
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80
Advance to the Central Lowlands. |
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81
Agricola advances to the Forth Clyde line. |
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82
Conquest of south-west Scotland. |
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83-84
Micola advances north and defeats the Caledonians at the battle of Mons Graupius. Roman fleet circumnavigates Britain.
Legionary fortress at Inchtuthil. |
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84
After the Battle of Mons Graupius, occupation of North Scotland. |
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84-85
Agricola recalled by Domitian. |
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86
One legion (II Adiutrix) withdrawn from Britain. |
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90-96
Legionary fortress at Inchtuthil evacuated. Foundation of Lindum Colonia at Lincoln. |
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96-98
Foundation of Colonia Nervia Glevensis at Gloucester. |
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99-100
Legionary fortress at Isca and many auxiliary forts in Wales rebuilt in stone. Scottish forts evacuated. |
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103
Legionary fortress at Deva rebuilt in stone. |
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107-108
Legionary fortress at Eburacum rebuilt in stone. |
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117
Revolt in north Britain. |
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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. |
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139-142
Q. Lollius Urbicus, governor under Antoninus Pius, advances into Scotland and builds the Antonine Wall across the Clyde-Forth isthmus. |
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155-158
Rebellion in north Britain suppressed by C. Julius Verus. Antonine Wall temporarily evacuated. |
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161-165
Forts rebuilt by Calpurnius Agricola. |
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180-184
Further revolt in north Britain subdued by Ulpius Marcellus. Antonine Wall broken. |
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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. |
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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 over run and destroyed by the Maeatae. |
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197
Virius Lupus restores the situation and rebuilds many forts. |
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200-208
Rebuilding of Hadrian's Wall by Alfenus Senecio. |
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208
Severus, Geld and Caracalla arrive in Britain and prepare for northern campaigning. |
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209
Severus and Caracalla campaign in Scotland and receive the surrender of the Caledonians. |
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210
Revolt of the Maeatae and second Scottish campaign. |
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211
Severus dies at York. Withdrawal to Hadrian's Walland organization of southern Scotland as a protectorate. |
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212
Caracalla extends Roman citizenship to all free provincials. Britain divided into two provinces. |
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259-214
Britain a part of the Gallic Empire of Postumus and his successors. |
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275-287
Saxon pirates in the Channel. |
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287
Commander of the British fleet, usurps the title of Emperor in Britain and Carausius, northern Gaul and is temporarily
recognized by Diocletian and Maximian. |
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293
Carausius' continental possessions. Caesar reconquers Constantius. |
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294
Carausius murdered by Allectus, who succeeds him. |
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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. Diocletian's
reorganization divides Britain into four provinces, separates the military from the civil administration and institutes
new military offices. |
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306
Constantius, now emperor, with his son Constantine campaigns in Caledonia. Death of Constantius at Eburacum. |
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313
Edict of Milan grants toleration to the Christian Church. |
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314
Three British bishops attend the Council of Aries. |
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343
Constantine visits Britain and pacifies the Caledonian tribes. |
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360
Julian sends Lupicinus to repel raids of Picts and Scots. |
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364
Picts, Scots, Attacotti and Saxons raiding Britain. |
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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. |
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369
Count Theodosius, sent by Valentinian I, clears Britain of invaders and restores the Wall. Signal stations built on Yorkshire
coast. |
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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. |
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388
Maximus defeated at Aquileia by Theodosius. |
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395
Stilicho improves the defenses of Britain. |
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406
Constantine III, a usurper, strips Britain of troops for his conquest of Gaul and Spain. |
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410
Honorius tells the civitates of Britain to arrange for their own safety. Quote.. look to your own defenses..." |
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446
Last appeal of the British civitates to Aetius. |
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From this point on - whether you like it or not - Celtic Britain ends, or to be more precise Romano-British
rule is no more. The Celtic peoples had spent 400 years mixing and marrying with the Romans and all the other peoples
that came in smaller numbers from the Empire. For the last 100 years the Saxons had settled the south of England with the
Roman forces unable to stop them. In fact the Romans paid the Saxons to keep the peace. When the Empire collapsed and the
troops that remained were recalled, they had to run the gauntlet of the Saxon warriors all the way down to the ships on the
coast. Many of them were robbed of their possessions on the way through, and some did not make it at all! What was left of the
Romano-British in the south of Britain rallied around a military leader for a few years and kept the Saxons at bay. This
shadowy figure is what all the Arthurian stories are based on. |
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