Analysis of Claudius’ Invasion of Britain History Essay

Analysis of Claudius’ Invasion of Britain
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Introduction
In Rome, Claudius was the first Emperor that was installed by the military after Caligula was assassinated in 41 AD. He spent the rest of his life continuously defending the legitimacy of his rule which he emphasized through his connection to the previous emperors (Heichelheim, Ward, & Yeo, 2016). Additionally, he treated the Senate with huge respect, provided them with authority to issue their coins and adjusted these individuals into an efficient body that represents the people. As the Emperor, Claudius was a man with great common sense, determination, integrity, and patriotism.
Claudius contributed significantly to the greatness of the Roman Empire since his invasion of Britain. Claudius not only focused on the military frontier during his rule but also, he managed to stay connected to the politics and courts of Rome (Dunstan, 2010). He strengthened the judicial system with legislation that increased the practice of law. When he needed to address problems in Rome, he went to Rome. The focus of his paper is to highlight Tiberius Claudius Caesar’s invasion of Britain and also his achievements that during the invasion of Britain.
Why Claudius invaded Britain
Claudius had to prove he was worthy of the role of Emperor. Most Roman leaders typically achieved popularity and growth through military success and Claudius was not different, which led to the expansion of the Empire. Claudius initially began showing himself capable of restoring peace after Caligula’s rule. However, maintaining internal stability in Rome mainly depended on the strength of the Emperor (Hoffmann, 2013). The reputation of Claudius as a weakling highly associated to the constant challenges to his potion and therefore, if he was not able to demonstrate his success similar to is predecessors; the Roman leaders would have removed him as Emperor.
Britain’s wealth was a suitable and attractive target. British mines produced metals such as gold and iron, which were traded for Roman goods on before the invasion occurred. Heichelheim, Ward, & Yeo, (2016) stated that Claudius perceived that invading and conquering Britain would be a welcomed addition to the Empire as it had greater economic viability and as a resource for Rome. The more loot and tax income Claudius brought to the Empire and also for the Roman soldiers, the more easily the Emperor could gain a massive popularity in all of Rome.
Due to the existing relationships between Britain and Rome regarding their trading activities, Claudius knew that conquering Britain would not be impossible. These alliances which were fostered by Julius Caesar during his reign, in the south-east of Britain always affected the political landscape of Britain (Matyszak, 2014). Most tribal leaders also called for Roman military aid during their clashes with other tribes. However, some British tribes knew that the invasion was unwarranted since they had already paid more in duties than those that could be gained from taxation once they become part of the Roman Empire. The Romans here had little incentive for invasion as long as trade continued with no disruptions from the British.
The British, however, were always at war with each other. The Romans and especially Claudius saw this as a potential for imperial expansion through the use of the divide and rule strategy. The strategy proved successful since it allowed the Romans to capitalize on the tribal clashes by aligning with a specific tribal group. This involved assisting such a group in eliminating any threats from local opponents.
An immediate reason for the invasion in AD 43 was the tribal war among the Celtic tribes which disrupted trading in the southeast of Britain, and this was a considerable loss for Rome (Murtagh, 2016). This instance provides a justified reason for the invasion and also a chance to develop an alliance with a single tribe by delivering great military assistance. The superiority of the Roman military and their discipline, combined with the local fighting techniques of the aligned group, would ensure total victory for this group. Therefore, the Romans formed such alliances during this period, but eliminated their allies if deemed necessary.
During Julius Caesar’s reign, the Atrebates clashed with the Catuvellauni and requested for military assistance from Rome. Claudius dispatched four legions of Roman soldiers with an additional twenty thousand garrison and auxiliary soldiers that were led by Plautus (Hoffmann, 2013). Claudius eventually arrived in Britain with a massive military force that included war elephants in ending the battle supposedly. However, this was likely to ensure that this certain victory was accredited to him, which further elevated is imperial reputation in Rome.
Achievements of Claudius
Claudius’ tremendous effect on the Roman Empire originated from his liberal civic and judicial reforms, which included the extension of Roman citizenship. His colonization policy in Britain made it possible for the survival of Roman culture, even after the fall of Rome to barbarians four centuries later. In the area of civil administration, he promoted urbanization.
The judicial system improved under the Claudius' reign, and he also introduced a modern extension by individual and collective grants in Noricum (Heichelheim, Ward, & Yeo, 2016). Claudius increased and stabilized his control over province administration and finances, and gave the jurisdiction for fiscal issues to the governors under his authority in senatorial provinces. Claudius also created a justice system for slaves in Britain whom he extended the freedom to any of them that had been abandoned by their masters (Matyszak, 2014). He also utilized his knowledge of the Etruscan law to enhance his belief in the civil rights of the Gauls. Throughout his reign, Claudius made numerous achievements and contributions in every facet and also to the Roman society.
The formation of the Roman army by Claudius is the main contributor to the expansion of the Empire, and therefore, Claudius’ decision on focusing on military reforms was necessary and intelligent. Hoffmann, (2013...