The British War Chariot: A Case for Indirect Warfare

Abstract

commentaries on his invasions of Britain in 55 and 54 B.C.describe successful tactics in response to this particular Roman invasion that stand at a time when the tribal armies of Gaul fell before the Roman military juggernaut. The tribes in southern Britain executed a style of war characterised by hit-and-run tactics, conducted from the highly mobile war chariot, which enabled the Britons to avoid a decisive battle. This article will discuss how the Britons responded to Caesar's invasions, and assess their tactics in 54 B.C. It will focus ★ 1073 AbstractIn 55 B.C. Julius Caesar crossed into Britain and was immediately engaged in a unique style of warfare. The Iron Age Britons used sturdy and fast two-horse chariots to respond to Roman invasion. This article looks at the tactics of and analyzes aspects of the battle chariot. It assesses the capabilities of the people who fielded the chariot and the means used to sustain their resources and gauge their capabilities. Drawing on both classical and archaeological sources, this article presents a fuller account of Caesar's two trips to Britain in 55-54 B.C. and the British warfare he encountered.