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The Classis Britannica and the Battles for Britain
Winner of Military History Monthly’s 2017 Book of the Year Award
The Classis Britannica was the Roman regional fleet controlling and protecting the waters around the British Isles – in other words, Britain’s first-ever navy.
For over 200 years it played a key role in the northern frontiers of the Roman Empire: it helped to establish the province of Britannia and assisted in Roman military campaigns, as well as controlling the continental coast through to the Rhine Delta. Outside of war, the Classis Britannica also offered vital support for the civilian infrastructure of Roman Britain, assisting in administration, carrying out major building and engineering projects, and running industry. Later, its mysterious disappearance in the mid-third century ad would contribute to Britain finally leaving the Empire 150 years later. In Sea Eagles of Empire, acclaimed historian Simon Elliott tells its story for the very first time.
26th September, 2022 in Archaeology, History
As you exit Tower Hill tube station in the City of London, to the left stands the largest surviving section of Roman London’s land wall. Over 10m in height, it soars enigmatically over commuters and tourists, many of whom pass by oblivious to its unlikely story. The wall, one of…
18th July, 2016 in Military
Author and historian Simon Elliott details five historic battles that have attracted his interest, explaining their relevance in the wider study of conflict and their appeal to him as an historian (listed here chronologically). Battle of Adrianople On the left, Fritigern’s foragi…
