Wednesday 30 October 2024. Speaker, Club President, Mr Felim O’Neill
Topic: Roman Britain
In his own account of the conquest of Britain, Julius Caesar wrote “Veni, Vidi, Vici” – I came, I saw, I conquered. Not so, explained the President; Julius Caesar’s first visit to the shores of Britain in 55 BC was little more than a “recce” and he was forced into a hasty retreat back across the Channel by hostile Celtic warriors. He returned a year later in 54 BC with three legions of troops and cavalry and won a decisive battle over the Celts at London. On his return to Rome he was elected Emperor.
One hundred years later Claudius became the Emperor and, in need of a military victory to establish his credentials, dispatched a general with troops to quell unruly Celts in England. His victory over the Celtic Kings was celebrated with a triumphal parade in Colchester, the then capital of England. In the years which followed the Romans secured their hold on Britain, the only serious challenge to their authority being a rebellion led by Queen Boudica in 61 AD.
For the next 3 centuries Britain had a succession of Emperors, some loyal to Rome but some increasingly self-serving, amassing wealth and power. Felim demonstrated impressive command of his subject which developed from his hobby as a detectorist. Metal detecting along the Thames when he lived and worked in London unearthed many coins from different eras of Roman occupation. All bore the image of an Emperor, which led Felim into a lifelong study of who they all were and when did they rule in Britain. His research has given him unrivalled knowledge of the history of Roman Britain, an interest which he was happy to share with Club members on the morning of Wednesday 30th October 2024.