04-04-04-000-s

Name:
Date:

Subject: Year 4 History

Sheet: Roman Invasion of Britain

Roman Invasion of Britain

The Romans attempted to invade Britain three times over the course of
nearly 100 years. Before the Romans invaded, Celts lived in Britain. Kings or
chiefs ruled lots of different tribes. Chiefs would lead their warriors into
battle in chariots pulled by horses. To protect themselves against enemies,
they built forts on the top of hilltops. Hillforts had wooden walls and earth
banks. Maiden Castle in Dorset is one of the largest hillforts in Europe.
Most people in Celtic Britain were farmers and lived in villages. They lived in
round houses made from wood and mud, with thatched roofs.
Julius Caesar, the Roman leader in Gaul (France) made his first attempt to
invade Britain in 55 B.C. with two Roman legions. Julius and his men
approached the cliffs of Dover which were lined with British warriors ready to fight. The
Romans were beaten back by storms and by resistence from local tribes. The British attacked
Caesar's men with spears and drove their chariots into the sea. The next year Caesar
returned with a much larger expedition consisting of 800 ships. This time he defeated the
Kentish tribes, who agreed to give him hostages and pay him a sum of money. The British
Celts fought bravely, and soon Caesar went back to Gaul.
It was not until almost a century later that the Romans returned to conquer Britain. Emperor
Claudius sent 40,000 troops who slowly conquered most of the country. They defeated
Caratacus, the local leader, who fled westwards. He was captured by the Romans and was
sent to Rome as a slave.

Questions
1. Gaul is which modern country?
a France
b Italy
c Spain
2. Who invaded Britain first?
a Caratacus
b Julius Caesar
c Emperor Claudius
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8
04-04-04-000-s

Name:
Date:

Subject: Year 4 History

Sheet: Roman Invasion of Britain

3. What is Maiden Castle?

a A hillfort
b A palace
c A castle
4. Who were the people who fought the Romans in Britain?
a Vikings
b Gauls
c Celts
5. Where did most of the people live in Britain?
a In a village
b In a city
c In a town
6. Julius Caesar visited Britain in 38BC.

True/False

7. How many years are there in one century?

a 50 years
b 100 years
c 90 years

Research activity
8. Carry out your own research to answer the questions below.
Julius Caesar is probably the most famous Roman that ever lived. Was he a good leader? Or
a bad one? Write down some of his good points and bad points below.
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Primary Leap Ltd. 2014

www.primaryleap.co.uk - Primary Resources