The Leading Facts of English History | Page 7

attain, and thus far
to maintain, the highest rank among maritime and commercial powers.
It is true that since the opening of the Suez Canal (1869) the trade with
the Indies, China, and Japan has considerably changed. Many cargoes
of teas, silks, spices, and other Eastern products, which formerly went
to London, Liverpool, or Southampton, to be reshipped to different
countries of Europe, now pass by other routes direct to the consumer.
Furthermore, it is a question what effect the completion of the Panama
Canal will have on English trade in parts of the Pacific. But for the
present England retains her supremacy as the great carrier and
distributor of the productions of the earth,--a fact which has had a very
decided influence on her history, and on her relations with other nations,
both in peace and war.
[Industrial Map of England (S9)]
THIRD PERIOD[1]
"Force and Right rule the world: Force, till Right is ready." Joubert
ROMAN BRITAIN, 55 B.C.; 43-410 A.D.
A CIVILIZATION WHICH DID NOT CIVILIZE
16. Europe shortly before Caesar's Invasion of Britain.

Before considering the Roman invasion of Britain let us take a glance
at the condition of Europe. We have seen that the tribes (S2) of Britain,
like those of Gaul (France), were not mere savages. On the contrary, we
know that they had taken more than one important step in the path of
progress; still the advance should not be overrated, for north of the
shores of the Mediterranean there was no real civilization.
[1] Reference Books on this Period will be found in the Classified List
of Books in the Appendix. The pronunciation of names will be found in
the Index. The Leading Dates stand unenclosed; all others are in
parentheses.
17. Caesar's Campaigns.
Such was the state of Europe when Julius Caesar, who was governor of
Gaul, but who aspired to be ruler of the world, set out on his first
campaign against the tribes north of the Alps (58 B.C.).
In undertaking the war he had three objects in view: First, he wished to
crush the power of those restless hordes that threatened the safety of the
Roman Republic. Next, he sought military fame in the hope that it
would make him supreme ruler of that Republic. Lastly, he wanted
money to maintain his army and to bribe the party leaders of Rome to
help him carry out his political plans. To this end he compelled every
tribe which he conquered to pay him tribute in cash or slaves.
18. Caesar reaches Boulogne and crosses over to Britain, 55 B.C.
In three years Caesar had subjugated the enemy in a succession of
victories, and a great part of Europe lay helpless at his feet. Late in the
summer of 55 B.C. he reached Boulogne on the coast of Gaul. Standing
there, he could see the gleaming chalk cliffs of Britain, so vividly
described in Shakespeare's "King Lear."[1]
[1] Shakespeare's "King Lear," Act IV, scene vi.
While encamped on the shore he "resolved," he says, "to pass over into
Britain, having had trustworthy information that in all his wars with the

Gauls the enemies of the Roman commonwealth had constantly
received help from thence."[2]
[2] Caesar's "Gallic War," Book IV.
Embarking with a force of between eight and ten thousand men[3] in
eighty small vessels, Caesar crossed the Channel and landed not far
from Dover, where he overcame the Britons (S2), who made a
desperate resistance. After a stay of a few weeks, during which he did
not leave the coast, he returned to Gaul.
[3] Caesar probably sailed about the 25th of August, 55 B.C. His force
consisted of two legions, the 7th and 10th. A legion varied at different
times from 3000 foot and 200 horse soldiers to 6000 foot and 400
horse.
19. Caesar's Second Invasion of Britain.
The next year (54 B.C.), a little earlier in the season, Caesar made a
second invasion with a much larger force, and penetrated the country a
short distance north of the Thames. Before the September gales set in,
he reembarked for the Continent, never to return.
The total results of his two expeditions were a number of natives
carried as hostages to Rome, a long train of captives destined to be sold
in the slave markets, and some promises of tribute which the Britons
never fulfilled. Tacitus, the Roman historian, says Caesar "did not
conquer Britain; he only showed it to the Romans."
20. The Third Invasion of Britain by the Romans, 43 A.D.
For nearly a hundred years the Romans made no further attempt on
Britain, but in 43 A.D. the Emperor Claudius invaded the island. After
nine years' fighting, he overcame Caractacus, the leader of the Britons,
and carried him in chains to Rome. The brave chief refused to beg