Many aspects of today's society have been affected by ancient Rome. Creation of law, development of democratic government practices, influences in language, literature, art, infrastructure, and city-planning are all areas where the influences of Roman ideas can be seen. TAW

Between the 7th and 5th centuries BCE, Celtic tribes from mainland Europe began migrating to the British Isles. Technically advanced compared to earlier inhabitants, they soon began to dominate political control and the culture of Britannia. Despite the fact that they were perhaps the most powerful and numerous people in much of Europe in 300 BCE, the Celts were very oriented towards varying tribes and were never able to build a unified Kingdom and prevent intertribal warfare. The total lack of political unity, despite their fierceness in battle, ultimately led to invasion and conquest by the Romans. TAW

Britain became an imperial province of Rome, called Britannia, administered by Roman governors Britain was a military stronghold of the Roman army, but the people of Britain benefited from Roman technology and cultural influences The native tribes became familiar with many features of Roman civilization, including its legal and political systems, architecture, and engineering. Numerous towns were established, and these strongholds were linked by a vast network of military highways, many remnants of which survive

Rome invested considerable resources in the invasion and protection of Britain - its occupation required about 10% of the Roman army. Permanent forts were linked by a network of level straight roads that allowed for easy redeployment of troops. These roads also encouraged trade. TAW

At the end of the 3rd century, the Roman army began to withdraw from Britain to defend other parts of the Roman Empire. In 410, when the Visigoths invaded Rome, the last of the Roman legions were withdrawn from the island. Celtic culture again became predominant, and Roman civilization in Britain rapidly disintegrated Roman influence virtually disappeared during the Germanic invasions in the 5th and 6th centuries. Thereafter the culture of the Angles and Saxons spread throughout the island. Historians refer to Britain after the Germanic invasions as England, Scotland, and Wales.