Caesar returned to Britain in 54 BCE, determined to complete his conquest of the island. Cassivellaunus, by this time, had become the central figure in the British resistance. While Caesar’s first invasion had been limited to the southeast of Britain, his second campaign was more ambitious. He advanced deeper into the interior, aiming to defeat the British resistance once and for all.

Cassivellaunus employed guerrilla tactics, using the natural terrain to his advantage. The Britons relied heavily on ambushes, raids, and hit-and-run strategies, harassing the Roman forces as they marched through the countryside. One of the key aspects of this resistance was the use of chariots, a hallmark of Celtic warfare, which allowed the Britons to strike quickly and retreat before the Romans could mount a full counterattack.

Despite these efforts, the Romans proved to be a formidable force. Caesar’s legions, though outnumbered, had superior training, organization, and equipment. The Romans also used their advanced engineering skills to build bridges, fortifications, and other infrastructure to support their operations. Over time, the Romans began to gain the upper hand.

Cassivellaunus's Capture and Surrender

As Caesar advanced, he employed a strategy of divide and conquer, exploiting the divisions between the British tribes. The Trinovantes, one of Cassivellaunus’s key allies, eventually betrayed him, offering Caesar valuable intelligence about the British resistance. This betrayal led to the Romans advancing toward Cassivellaunus's stronghold, which was situated in what is now Hertfordshire.

In the face of mounting pressure and with his forces dwindling, Cassivellaunus was eventually forced to negotiate with Caesar. The British leader’s surrender came after a series of skirmishes that drained his resources and morale. Cassivellaunus agreed to a peace treaty, which included paying a ransom and promising not to resist the Roman occupation further. shutdown123