_1200

+++++++++

Start of the Bronze Age Urnfield Culture in central Europe.

_1000_0750

+++++++++

Proto-Celtic people of the Urnfield culture dominate much of Continental EuropAlso 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.

_0700_0500

Hallstatt culture developes in Austria.

_0700

Early Celts in Austria bury iron swords with thier dead.

_0600

+++++++++++

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 defences + construction of new hillforts takes place in Britain.

_0550_0500

++++++++

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 layed out on bronze chais-lounge in a hugh chamber tomb.

_0500

+++++++++

Trade between the Etruscans and the Celts begins.

Lá Téne phase of Celtic culture speads 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.

_0500

+++++++

Celts (the Gaels - from Galicia) arrive in Ireland from Spain.

_0400_0100

La Tene culture spreads over Europe and into the British Isles.

_0400

Celts invade Italy and Cisalpine Gaul.

_0400

+++++

Celts atack the Etruscan city of Clusium.

_0390

+++++++++++++

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 ransome 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).

_0335

Alexander recieves envoys from the Celts + exchange pledges of alliance.

Large numbers of Celtic Warriors join the Greeks in a war against the Etruscans.

_0323

Alexander dies and the Celts push into Macedonia.

_0279

Celtic tribes invade Greece.

_0275

Celts establish the state of Galatia (Gauls across the alps) in northern Turkey.

_0250

_0230

Galatian Celts defeated in battle by Greek forces in Western Turkey.

_225

Roman army routs invading Celtic Gauls at Telamon in central Italy.

_0200

The Celts establish permanent fortified settlements (Oppida, or towns).

_0191

Cisalpine Gaul is taken by the Romans.

_0150

_0121

Rome takes Provence.

_0100

Belgae tribes migrate to Britain to escape Roman domination.

_0070

Druids (a fire cult from the Middle East) arrive in Britain and gain control of the ruling classes.

_0058

Julius Caesar is made governor of Provence

_0058_0051

+++++++

Caesar's Gallic Wars

Legio XIV + five newly-enrolled cohorts

_0058

++++++++++

Helvettii in Switzerland -attacked by Germanic tribes led by Ariovistus-move to Gaul.

Caesar follows + defeats Helvettii at Toulon-sur-Arroux.

Dumnorix of the Aedui

tries to lead resistance against the Romans,

fails.

_0057

Caesar turnes attention to Belgae-tribes + lays siege to Belgae-tribes-territory.

By autumn,

Caesar claims "all the Gallic tribes are subjects of Rome".

_0056

Veneti of Brittany seize two Roman envoys + make a stand.

After a long sea battle,

Caesar executes the leaders + sells the men of the tribe into slavery.

_0055

Caesar tries to land in Britain +

is pinned down on a beachhead

for two months.

His cavalry is seasick +

is sent back to Gaul.

Caesar - With the aproaching Autumn gales withdraws from Britain.

_0054

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Caesar attempts to take

Dumnorix of the Aedui

as a hostage in preparation of another expedition to Britain.

Dumnorix refuses

+the Romans

kill him.

Dumnorix of the Aedui

As he dies he cries

"I am a freeman in a free state".

his,

_54_53 -In the winter-

Ambiorix of the Eburones of the Meuse valley,

inspired by Dumnorix of the Aedui actions

recruits

the Belgic tribes,

the Nervii + Aduatuci +

lay seige to + leads an attack on the garrison at Namur +

massacre them +

destroy Legio XIV + five newly-enrolled cohorts which were encamped in their territory near Tongres,

under the joint command of Titurius Sabinus + Arunculeius Cotta.

The legates made the mistake of leaving the safety of their encampment +

are all but annihilated.

The Aquilifer of Legio XIV saved the eagle from immediate capture by hurling it over the ramparts of the Roman camp,

just before he is cut down.

It was to no avail, for that night all the remaining legionary survivors commit suicide.

Ambiorix +

The attack is so successful that Caesar himself had to lead the relieving army to drive them off.

_0053

+++++++++++++++++++++

The tribes of Gaul unite under the leadership of Indutiomarus of the Treveri.

The Celtic army consisted of the Treveri, Senones, Carnutes, Nervii, Aduatuci + Eburones.

Indutiomarus attacks Caesar's headquarters at Mouzon + lays seige.

After a great fight, the Romans kill Indutiomarus.

There then followed a number of uprisings among the tribes +

Caesar has to work his way through the tribes putting down revolts.

Acco of the Senones + Carnutes was flogged + then put to death.

Ambiorix was trailed by a Roman troop

until he disappeared into the Ardennes forest

+ was never heard from again.

_0052

+++++++++++

Vercingetorix

-A war leader -emerges to take control of the Celtic army, maintains a running battle from three successive hill forts.

The last one was called Aelisia +

Ceasar lais siege for three months with no effect +

has to defend himself

from from constant attack by the Celtic warriors.

Vercingetorix finally surrenders.

_53_52 -In the winter-

the newly-formed Legio XIV, under the command of Quintus Cicero [the brother of the Orator]

is attacked in its winter quarters by a large contingent of maurauding German cavalry.

This commander was not strong-willed enough to restrain his troops from venturing without the walls of the fort

+ again, the legion was severely mauled, but Caesar himself was able to reach them in time + caused the Germans to withdraw.

_0045

+++++++++++++

Caesar orders that

Vercingetorix was to be taken to Rome,

paraded through the streets

then executed as a dangerous enemy of

Rome.

00.000.0000

Birth of Christ. (Acording to the church of Rome under Constantine)

00.000.0038

Caligula parades Celtic captives through Rome.

00.000.0039

The Catevaulauni under the Kingship of Cunobelinus and his sons Caratacus and Togidubnus, expand into the Atrebate (Hampshire) and the Trinovante (Suffolk).

00.000.0041

Petition put in to Rome for assistance, turned down because of the civil wars in Rome.

00.000.0043

Verica of the Atrebates petitions Claudius to come to Britain to help against the Catevaulauni.

00.000.0043

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.

00.000.0047

New governor, Ostorius Scapula, governor, draws a frontier from the Trent to the Severn. Campaigns in the west (Legio II Augusta under Vespasian)

00.000.0049

Colonia of Camulodonum (Colchester) founded. And Roman expansion starts into Wales

00.000.0049-00.000.0050

Foundation of Colonia Victricensis at Camulodunum. Mendip lead mines already in Roman hands. Legionary fortresses at Glevum and Lindum. Invasion of South Wales.

00.000.0050

Caratacus, finally defeated in North Wales, flees to Cartamandua, queen of the Brigantes + is surrendered to the Romans.

00.000.0052

New Governor, D. Gallus.

00.000.0055

Didius Gallus, governor, intervenes on the side of Cartimandua in Brigantian civil war.

00.000.0057

New Governor, Q. Veranius

00.000.0058

New Governor, S. Paulinus, attack on N. Wales.

00.000.0059-00.000.0060

Suetonius clears Britain totally of the Druids, with a final stand on Anglsea.

00.000.0060

Suetonius Paulinus, governor, attacks Anglesey.

00.000.0060

Pratagustus of the Iceni dies + the Romans take his lands away from Boudica.

00.000.0060-00.000.0061

Boudica is elected war leader and leads a revolt agianst the Romans. (Read the story) Icenian revolt under Boudica suppressed after sack of Camulodunum, Londinium and Verulamium

00.000.0063

New Governor, T. Maximus.

00.000.0065

Preparations for campaigns in Wales.

00.000.0066

One legion (XIV Gemina) withdrawn from Britain.

00.000.0068

Army in Britain refuses to join the governor, Trebellius Maximus, in revolt against Galba.

00.000.0069

Romans fail to prevent the defection of the Brigantes.

00.000.0069

Civil Wars, New Governor, V. Bolanus.

00.000.0071

New Governor, P. Cerialis. Conquest of Brigantia, capture of Stanwick?

00.000.0071-700.000.004

Petilius Cerealis, governor, with a new legion (II Adiutrix) conquers the Brigantes. Legionary fortress at Eburacum.

00.000.0074-00.000.0078

Sextus Julius Frontinus, governor, subdues Wales and plants garrisons there. Legionary fortresses at Isca and Deva.

00.000.0078

Julius Agricola, governor, completes the conquest of North Wales and Anglesey.

00.000.0079

Consolidation of Brigantian conquest.

00.000.0080

Advance to the Central Lowlands.

00.000.0081

Agricola advances to the Forth Clyde line.

00.000.0082

Conquest of south-west Scotland.

00.000.0083-00.000.0084

Agricola advances north and defeats the Caledonians at the battle of Mons Graupius. Roman fleet circumnavigates Britain. Legionary fortress at Inchtuthil.

00.000.0084

After the Battle of Mons Graupius, occupation of N.Scotland.

00.000.0084-00.000.0085

Agricola recalled by Domitian.

00.000.0086

One legion (II Adiutrix) withdrawn from Britain.

00.000.0090

c 

Legionary fortress at Inchtuthil evacuated.

00.000.0090-00.000.0096

Foundation of Lindum Colonia at Lincoln.

00.000.0096-00.000.0098

Foundation of Colonia Nervia Glevensis at Gloucester.

00.000.0099-00.000.0100

Legionary fortress at Isca and many auxiliary forts in Wales rebuilt in stone. Scottish forts evacuated.

00.000.0103

c 

Legionary fortress at Deva rebuilt in stone.

00.000.0107-00.000.0108

Legionary fortress at Eburacum rebuilt in stone.

00.000.0117

Revolt in north Britain.

00.000.0122

Hadrian visits Britain. Legio IX Hispana replaced by VI Victrix. Construction of Hadrian's Wall from Tyne to Solway begun by Aulus Platorius Nepos.

00.000.0139-00.000.0142

Q. Lollius Urbicus, governor under Antoninus Pius, advances into Scotland and builds the Antonine Wall across the Clyde-Forth isthmus.

00.000.0155-00.000.0158

Rebellion in north Britain suppressed by C. Julius Verus. Antonine Wall temporarily evacuated.

00.000.0161-00.000.0165

Forts rebuilt by Calpurnius Agricola.

00.000.0180-00.000.0184

Further revolt in north Britain subdued by Ulpius Marcellus. Antonine Wall broken.

00.000.0193

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.

00.000.0196-00.000.0197

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.

00.000.0197

Virius Lupus restores the situation and rebuilds many forts.

00.000.0200-00.000.0208

Rebuilding of Hadrian's Wall by Alfenus Senecio.

00.000.0208

Severus, Geld and Caracalla arrive in Britain and prepare for northern campaigning.

00.000.0209

Severus and Caracalla campaign in Scotland and receive the surrender of the Caledonians.

00.000.0210

Revolt of the Maeatae and second Scottish campaign.

00.000.0211

Severus dies at York. Withdrawal to Hadrian's Walland organization of southern Scotland as a protectorate.

00.000.0212

Caracalla extends Roman citizenship to all free provincials. Britain divided into two provinces.

00.000.0259-00.000.0214

Britain a part of the Gallic Empire of Postumus and his successors.

00.000.0275-00.000.0287

Saxon pirates in the Channel.

00.000.0287

Commander of the British fleet, usurps the title of Emperor in Britain and Carausius, northern Gaul and is temporarily recognised by Diocletian and Maximian.

00.000.0293

Carausius' continental possessions. Caesar reconquers Constantius.

00.000.0294

Carausius murdered by Allectus, who succeeds him.

00.000.0296

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 reorganisation divides Britain into four provinces,separates the military from the civil administration and institutes new military offices.

00.000.0306

Constantius, now emperor, with his son Constantine campaigns in Caledonia. Death of Constantius at Eburacum.

00.000.0313

Edict of Milan grants toleration to the Christian Church.

00.000.0314

Three British bishops attend the Council of Aries.

00.000.0343

Constantine visits Britain and pacifies the Caledonian tribes.

00.000.0360

Julian sends Lupicinus to repel raids of Picts and Scots.

00.000.0364

Picts, Scots, Attacotti and Saxons raiding Britain.

00.000.0367

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.

00.000.0369

Count Theodosius, sent by Valentinian I, clears Britain of invaders and restores the Wall. Signal stations built on Yorkshire coast.

00.000.0383

Magnus Maximus, a military commander in Britain, revolts and conquers Gaul and Spain from Gratian. Hadrian's Wall swamped by invaders and not rebuilt.

00.000.0388

Maximus defeated at Aquileia by Theodosius.

00.000.0395

Stilicho improves the defences of Britain.

00.000.0406

Constantine III, a usurper, strips Britain of troops for his conquest of Gaul and Spain.

00.000.0410

Honorius tells the civitates of Britain to arrange for their own safety. Quote"...look to your own defences..."

00.000.0446

 c

Last appeal of the British civitates to Aetius.

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 + 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.

The rest is fantasy, so beware.