The British Under Roman Rule: A Study in Colonialism
The Roman invasion of Britain divided its constituent kingdoms and tribes. Some supported the Romans, others fiercely opposed their occupation and suffered dreadfully as a consequence. In the face of continuing resentment at their occupation the Romans, argues Graham Webster, changed from a policy of repression, and began to pay careful attention to the feelings and aspirations of their British subjects.
One has to go back to Julius Caesar to understand Rome's interest in Britain and the attitudes of the tribes of south-eastern Britain to Rome. Whatever may have prompted Caesar to carry out his expeditions, their partial success was accepted in Rome as a definite conquest. The effect in Britain was a polarising into allies and enemies of the tribes with which Rome had been in contact. Caesar lists among his allies the Trinovantes of the Colne peninsula and the Iceni of Norfolk, while the anti-Roman forces were the tribes of Kent and a tribe on the north bank of the Thames, the name of which is lost but whose chief, Cassivellaunus, was given command of the British forces against Rome.
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