Conquest and provincial government
Roman armies invaded Britain under Claudius in AD 43. Conquest was followed by provincial administration through governors, legionary commanders and other officials who combined military, judicial and fiscal responsibilities.
Hadrian and the northern frontier
Hadrian visited Britain during his wider inspection of the empire. His reign is closely associated with the construction of Hadrian's Wall, the fortified frontier extending across northern Britain from the Tyne to the Solway region.
The Antonine advance
Under Antoninus Pius Roman forces advanced farther north and constructed the Antonine Wall across central Scotland. The occupation north of Hadrian's Wall was not permanent, and Hadrian's frontier remained the more durable line.
Britain in the wider empire
Roman Britain was connected to the rest of the empire through roads, ports, military recruitment, taxation, trade and imperial politics. Events in Britain also intersected with civil wars and struggles for the imperial throne.
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