43 CE

Aulus Plautius, crossing (probably) from Boulogne (Bononia) in the Classis Britannica, lands with four Roman legions (20,000 men) and a similar number of auxiliaries at Rutupiae (probably modern Richborough) on the east coast of Kent. General (future emperor) Vespasian plays a major role in the defeat of the Britons led by the brothers Caratacus and Togodumnus (leaders of the Catuvellauni) in the 2-day Battle of the Medway (probably at the river near Rochester) and the Romans drive them back to and across the River Thames; Togodumnus dies soon after. Plautius halts at the Thames and sends for the Emperor. Emperor Claudius, who arrives with reinforcements including war elephants, leads the march on Camulodunum (modern Colchester). Eleven British kings, probably including those of the Iceni and Brigantes, submit without a fight. Plautius becomes the first Governor of Roman Britain. In Coptic Orthodox Christianity, Mark the Evangelist becomes the first Pope of Alexandria, thus establishing the Christian Church in Africa.

In the 40s, the 1st century.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Vietnam is designated a province of China.source
  • The Romans now have complete control of the Mediterranean Sea.source
  • Claudius annexes Lycia in Asia Minor, combining it with Pamphylia as a Roman province.source

Conflict & Security

  • May – Aulus Plautius, crossing (probably) from Boulogne (Bononia) in the Classis Britannica, lands with four Roman legions (20,000 men) and a similar number of auxiliaries at Rutupiae (probably modern Richborough) on the east coast of Kent. General (future emperor) Vespasian plays a major role in the defeat of the Britons led by the brothers Caratacus and Togodumnus (leaders of the Catuvellauni) in the 2-day Battle of the Medway (probably at the river near Rochester) and the Romans drive them back to and across the River Thames; Togodumnus dies soon after. Plautius halts at the Thames and sends for the Emperor.source
  • September – Emperor Claudius, who arrives with reinforcements including war elephants, leads the march on Camulodunum (modern Colchester). Eleven British kings, probably including those of the Iceni and Brigantes, submit without a fight. Plautius becomes the first Governor of Roman Britain.source
  • Warfare begins between the northern and southern Huns.source
  • Vespasian begins to subdue the south-west.source
  • King Vardanes I of Parthia forces the city of Seleucia on the Tigris to surrender.source

Exploration & Expansion

  • The Romans capture a Brythonic settlement at Kent and rename it Durovernum Cantiacorum (modern Canterbury); and establish a Roman fort to guard the crossing of the Kentish River Stour.source

Religion & Belief

  • In Coptic Orthodox Christianity, Mark the Evangelist becomes the first Pope of Alexandria, thus establishing the Christian Church in Africa.source

Technology & Infrastructure

  • Roman London (Londinium) is established on the Thames.source
  • The Romans begin to construct forts, such as at Peterborough, and a road that later becomes Ermine Street.source

Science & Discovery

  • Pomponius Mela, Roman geographer, writes De situ orbis libri (approximate date).source

Births

  • Martial, Roman poet (approximate date)source

Deaths

  • Trưng Sisters, Vietnamese military leaders (approximate date)source
  • Aemilia Lepida, Roman noblewoman, fiancée of Claudius (born 5 BC)source
  • Togodumnus, king of the Catuvellaunisource
  • The warrior Trung Sisters commit suicide after their resistance is defeated at Nam Viet.source
  • Julia Livia, daughter of Drusus Julius Caesar (executed)source
  • Appius Junius Silanus, Roman consul (executed)source
  • Julia Livia, daughter of Drusus Julius Caesar, is executed at the instigation of Claudius' wife Messalina.source