July–September 54 BC · Southern Britain (Thames valley) Theater
July–September 54 BC
Caesar returned to Britain the following summer with five legions and 2,000 cavalry aboard 800 ships — the largest amphibious operation Rome had ever mounted. This time the landing was unopposed and the army marched inland, crossing the Thames and driving deep into the territory of Cassivellaunus, who had been named supreme commander of British resistance. Cassivellaunus avoided pitched battle, using his chariot warriors to harass the column and cut off foragers. Caesar forced the Thames crossing and captured Cassivellaunus's main stronghold. British tribal politics did the rest: the Trinovantes, rivals of Cassivellaunus, submitted to Caesar and revealed where the stronghold was. Cassivellaunus made terms — hostages, tribute — and Caesar withdrew before another autumn storm season threatened his fleet.
Commanders