progress update

Been working about 2 hours tonight on getting most of information i need. I pretty much just need to cut it down, summarise and put in essay form. My question will be... How and why did Caesar invade Briton and what was it's significance to the Romans? Here is a summarized copy of most of my information i'm working with. (some of it is basically in point form)

Why
There are many possible reasons why Caesar invaded Britain. According to many secondary sources and the only primary source, Caesar’s Commentaries of the Gallic Wars, primarily Caesar invaded Britain as he became aware that aid was being given to the ‘enemy’ (Gallic tribes) from that country. Especially he noticed strong commercial links (trade) in Armorica (territory between Seine and Loire Rivers including the Brittany Peninsula) and political and military contacts in Belgic Gaul (Northern Gaul on West bank of Rhine). He is also said to have been frustrated by the fact that the defeated enemy could run away to Britain and regroup/ seek refuge. Other sources imply Caesar was investigating Britain’s mineral wealth (silver, iron, tin and copper) and economic potential. Evidence of this is seen as afterwards Cicero refers to their disappointment at the discovery there was no gold or silver in the island. Suetonius says Caesar was said to have gone to Britain in search of pearls. At the time of Caesar Britain was on the edge of the known world to the Romans, therefore the prestige and title would add to his reputation would have been extremely inviting. Caesar was also looking for an excuse to avoid returning to Rome.

How
Caesar's first invasion of Britain took place in 55BC. Firstly he assembled many merchants of travelled the channel between Britain and Gaul to find more information but did not get any as they had only seen the coast and knew of no convenient harbors. He then sent Caius Volsenus with a war ship to acquire information and report back. Then he moved to Morini with all his forces. Orders ships from neighboring countries and fleet already built preceding summer for war with veniti. To assemble at Morini. Purposes discovered by Britons and so ones getting attacked by other Britons came, promising submission, offering tribute for protection. Promising he will not harm them he sends them back with Commius, ordering him to visit as many states as possible to persuade them to subdue to Romans. Volsenus returned reports observations from ship. Morini plead their excuse for resisting Romans. Caesar accepts demanding large amount of hostages. 80 ships collected for two legions and assigned ships of war he had to cavalry etc. 18 ships of burden prevented further down coast by wind, distributed amoung horse. Rest of army delivered to Q. Titurius Sabinus and L. Aurunculeius Cotta (lieutenants) instructed to lead into menapii and remaining morini. Ordered P sulpicius Rufus( lieutenant) to hold possession of harbor with garrison. Good weather so ordered horse to march further to 18 ships and follow rest of fleet. Set sail, reached Britain on fourth hour of the day with first squadron. Britons on hills in arms. Landing too close to cliffs so Britons could throw darts so advanced 7 miles away from place and stationed fleet at open and level shore. Britons followed with cavalry and chariots (rest of forces followed) and attempted to prevent landing. Men started jumping out in shallows to get to shore but were being beaten back by Britons, Caesar ordered ships of war to go close to open flank and attack via missiles, then more Romans charged ashore, Britons attacked Romans whilst they were in confusion but Caesar got warships to be filled with soldiers and made them give aid to soldiers being smashed by Britons. Britons were driven back and retreated. Britons sent ambassadors negotiating peace to Caesar including commius and some who had come to continent earlier. Caesar forgave and accepted hostages. More ambassadors came and after 4 days a certain peace was established. Cavalry set sail and tried to follow fleet but massive storm hit and forced them back to continent. Further stormed/high tide damaged many ships as they were hitting each other. Ambassadors sneaked out of camp and renewed war on Romans after realizing small numbers and lack of ships, resources. Caesar suspected this and so got as much corn as possible from country, used wood from wrecked ships to repair others, and sent message to continent requesting supplies. One legion sent to forage. Men on duty at gates reported dust in direction legion had marched. Caesar ordered 2 cohorts to relieve them on duty and rest to follow him to dust. Saw men were being attacked. Britons surrounded foraging legion with chariots and cavalry and were slaughtering them. Caesar advanced and drew legions back to camp. Britons departed. 7 days of storm where no attack from either side possible. Britons gathered large force. Caesar with horse from Commius and legions took up defensive position in camp. Britons could not sustain attack as got slaughtered. Ambassadors came and Caesar doubled amount of hostages and said they had to come back to continent. Caesar then set sail back to continent with fleet and all made it exept to ships whose 300 marched to camp.

Caesar invaded Britain for the second time in 54Bc. Went to port Itius with legions. Discovers 40 ships built in country of Meldi forced into port by storms. Finds rest ready to go. 4000(of Gaul) cavalry. Assemble. Left Labienus on continent with 2000 horse to defend harbors and provide corn. Left to Britain with 5 legions and 2000 horse. Matters were made difficult by changes in wind and tide but he made for same landing spot. 800 ships in fleet. Saw one enemy on shore who left (heard from prisoner there were large forces assembled earlier but left being alarmed by number of ships. Leaving 10 cohorts and 300 horse at sea to guard ships (Q Atrius to guard ships). found convenient spot for camp. Advanced 12 miles at night. Britons advanced to river started harassing/ attacking Romans. Britons were rushing out from woods (where had a fort with all entrances shut up by felled trees. Legions threw up rampart against fort and took the fort over and drove Britons out of woods. Romans fortified their camp. Next day Caesar set foot and horse soldiers in 3 divisions on expeditions to pursue Britons that fled. Horse from Q Atrius saying storm had destroyed many ships ( 40 ships lost, remainder had to be repaired). Caesar wrote to continent to build ships and send men to repair them. Brought ships on shore in 10 days with legions, and fortified camp. Left same forces on guard and set out again to same place he was before. Large force of Britons gathered under Cassivellaunus (Britons had placed him as leader after be alarmed by size of roman force). Britons cavalry and chariots made small attacks on marching Romans. Romans were winning. Romans were occupied at camp and Britons attacked those who were outside in fields. Caesar sent 2 cohorts to aid them. Britons continued small attacks. Following day enemy halted on hills in sight of camp and began to challenge horse. At noon Caesar sent 3 legions and all cavalry to forage. Britons attacked with large numbers at close quarters and Romans slaughtered them and drove them back. All other Britons forces retreated. Caesar led armies into territories of Cassivellaunus to river Thames. Enemy gathered on opposite bank defended with large wooden stakes. Caser sent forward cavalry and ordered legions to follow immediately. Britons could not sustain attack and retreated. Cassivellaunus retreats with forces into woods observing Romans march. Britons plundered lands before Romans reached them and made small skirmishes on them. One of most powerful states in this part of Britons was Trinobantes (under Mandubratius)sent ambassadors to Caesar promising him their surrender and ask for protection from violence of Cassivellaunus. Caesar accepted (after being given 40 hostages and corn) and other tribes followed Trinobantes. Caesar accepted their surrender and from them learned of Cassivellaunus’s capitol town and place of hiding. Caesar advanced to it and found it heavily fortified. Britons could not sustain roman attack and so retreated to other side of town. Cassivellaunus sent messages into Kent near the sea where 4 kings are and urges them to gather forces and attack roman camp. They did this but Romans slaughtered them and captured leader (Lugotorix) and so surviving Britons pulled out. After this Cassivellaunus sent ambassadors to Caesar. Caesar accepts as planned to return to Gaul for winter due to sudden revolts in gaul, demands hostages, prescribes what tribute Britain should pay to Rome each year and forbids he wage war on Trinobantes (Mandubratius). After getting hostages Caesar led army back to sea. Found ships repaired. Launched these. So has to get all back in 2 embarkations as not enough ships for whole army (due to ships destroyed and large numbers of prisoners). Caesar set sail on 2nd embarkation and reached Gaul at day break and brought ships into safety.