Question #e4888
1 Answer
Because it wasn't really worth it
Explanation:
Basically, after conquering Gaul (France) and fighting rather bloody battles there, Caesar saw Britain (or, rather, all the little chiefdoms there) as a tantalizing target, as they were rumors of tin coming from Britain, and Caesar also wanted to warn them (as they had helped the Gaul against Caesar.) He also wanted some of the fame and power that came along with conquering new territories for the empire.
In his first invasion (55 B.C.E., he wanted to know more about the island (how many manpower they had, how they fought, how was the terrain, etc.), as most of the information they got came from traders (this was so that they could then, at a later date, stage a 2nd invasion, with an actual army., also, it is important to note that Britain was much like the Americas in the 1400's, the "New World".) Basically, he landed in Dover (where the Trinovantes are), and he managed to make a camp, where he got raided, but managed to beat the foragers off. Basically, he had invaded way too late, as winter was approaching, and so he called off the invasion.
For the 2nd invasion, the next year (54 B.C.E.), he landed with more forces, and actually managed to defeat a couple of tribes (and take hostages), but Gaul was still rebellious after being recently conquered, and so Caesar thought it in his best interest to return to Gaul, not leaving a single Roman behind.
