The Romans successfully invaded Britain in 43 A.D. In the years that followed, Roman culture and traditions spread across Southern England. The Romans imported many different types of food and materials to Britain from all over the Roman Empire, and they also introduced new ideas, laws and inventions.
Here’s a list of some of the things the Romans introduced to Britain:
- The calendar we still use today.
- The census – the practice of counting a population.
- High-quality straight roads
- Central heating
- Aqueducts (water bridges)
- Indoor plumbing
- Towns
- Cabbages
- Peas
- Public libraries
- Public noticeboards
- Firemen
- Police
- Stinging nettles
- Cats
- Grapes
- Pears
- Paved streets
- Turnips
- Carrots
- Cement
- Bricks
- Heated baths
- Language (Latin)
This is far from an exhaustive list, but it should give you an idea of the range of different things and ideas brought to Britain by the Romans. When the Romans left Britain, some of the things they introduced continued to be used, and others were forgotten.
What next? Find out more about the Roman invasion of Britain, or discover more facts about the Romans.
