Warfare in Ancient Britain

Even though the Greco-Roman world had been vaguely aware of its existence for centuries, Britain makes its first appearance in written history during Julius Caesar's Gaulish Wars. Caesar launched two invasions - arguably, glorified raids - into Britannia. Despite the challenges posed by storms and the guerilla warfare of the natives, Caesar boasted of exacting tribute and submission from Cassivellaunus, high king of the Britons.

Indeed, the initial landing of Caesar's legions in Britain was one of the most dramatic moments of the dictator's long career. The displays of the tribesmen on the shore, or perhaps the superstitious fear of the sea, kept the legionaries from disembarking from their vessels. Finally, an aquilifer managed to motivate them by professing his desire to do his duty, and then charging the British by himself, carrying his eagle. Horrified at the thought of losing an eagle to the enemy, the legionaries followed him and fought their way to shore.

Caesar was deeply impressed by the chariots used by the Britons, and claimed they had thousands of them. Such chariots had fallen out of use in Gaul and Italy several centuries before, and must have been a novelty to the general. He was particularly captivated by stunts the charioteers would perform, running up and down the pole that connected the chariot to its steeds. Caesar effectively describes the chariots as mobile missile platforms, describing how the charioteers would hurl javelins at the enemy, but then scatter and regroup if they were faced with resistance.

The British tribes also had cavalry in abundance. A letter written by a Roman soldier dating to the late 1st-early 2nd Century describes how the 'puny little Brits' used primitive riding equipment and carried javelins. Classical sources tell us little about British infantry, though they probably resembled those of Gaul, carrying thrusting spears, rectangular shields, and (for wealthier warriors) swords. The use of the sling, especially during battles around hill-forts, is very well attested in the archaeological record.

Caesar provides us with a famous description of the physical appearance of the British warriors: 'all the Britons dye their bodies with woad, which produces a blue color, and shave the whole of their bodies except the head and the upper lip. He also pains to describe how lightly equipped the Britons were, and how this put his heavily-armored legionaries at a disadvantage.

Sources:

De Bello Gallico, Iulius Caesar
Celtic Warrior 300 BC - AD 100, Stephen Allen