Julius Caesar's British Invasions
About this episode
This episode explores Julius Caesar's invasions of Britain and questions the reality of his conquests.
Did Julius Caesar really conquer Britain — or did he simply say he did? In this opening chapter of our Romans in Britain trilogy, Robert Hardman and Professor Kate Williams step back to the edge of the known world: Iron Age Britain. A land of tribal rivalries, painted warriors, and swirling myths — and, to Roman eyes, a place as strange and distant as the moon. Twice, Caesar crossed the Channel in search of glory. Twice, he faced treacherous tides, reluctant troops, and fierce resistance. The result? No lasting occupation, no firm control — and yet, back in Rome, celebrations, triumphs, and headlines proclaiming victory. So what really happened on those windswept shores? Was Britain ever truly “conquered” by Caesar — or was it one of history’s earliest and most effective pieces of political theatre? With elephants, chariots, and a healthy dose of Roman propaganda, this episode asks a simple question with a surprisingly slippery answer:did Caesar win Britain? Hosts: Robert Hardman and Kate Williams Series Producer: Ben Devlin Production Manager: Vittoria Cecchini Executive Producer: Bella Soames Hosts: Robert Hardman and Professor Kate Williams Series Producer: Ben Devlin…
People in this episode
Hosts: Robert Hardman, Professor Kate Williams
Topics covered
- Julius Caesar
- British Invasions
- Roman history
- political theatre
- Iron Age Britain
Keywords
- Julius Caesar
- Britain
- Roman propaganda
- Iron Age
- conquest
- political theatre
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Daily Mail
Places: Britain, Rome
More episodes of Queens, Kings, and Dastardly Things
- The Death of Queen Cleopatra
- Queen Cleopatra: Her Rise to Power
- The Fall of Roman Britain
- Boudicca: Britain's Warrior Queen
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