When we talk about Julius Caesar, we think of a brilliant general, a master politician, and a man who literally rewrote the fate of Rome. But even the great Caesar had his off days. Case in point? His two attempts to invade Britain in 55 and 54 BCE—both of which ended up being more about bad weather and logistical nightmares than actual conquest.

Why Invade a Mysterious Island?

For most Romans, Britain was like the edge of the known world—a foggy, mysterious land that some writers even claimed didn’t exist. But to Caesar, it was a potential goldmine (or at least a tin mine). His official excuse for the invasion was that British tribes had been supporting his enemies in Gaul, but let’s be honest—he was also looking for personal glory, resources, and perhaps a stepping stone to future Roman expansion.

The First Invasion (55 BCE): A Slippery Start

Caesar gathered a fleet of 80 transport ships, loaded them with two legions, and set sail from Gaul. He initially aimed to land at Dover, but the sight of thousands of Britons glaring down at his fleet from the cliffs made him think twice. Instead, he moved further along the coast and found a more suitable landing spot at Walmer.

The Britons, of course, were not about to roll out the welcome mat. When the heavily armed Roman soldiers tried to wade through the water to shore, they hesitated. That is, until one brave standard-bearer jumped into the sea, dramatically shouting:

“Follow me, Romans! Do not let the eagle fall into enemy hands!”

That did the trick. Inspired (or shamed), the rest of the soldiers charged in. After some tough fighting, they secured the beach.

However, before the Romans could advance, Mother Nature decided to have a say in the matter. A sudden storm wrecked much of Caesar’s fleet, cutting off reinforcements and supplies. Meanwhile, the Britons regrouped, realizing that the mighty Romans weren’t so invincible after all. With worsening conditions and no cavalry support, Caesar had no choice but to call it quits and head back to Gaul.

The Second Invasion (54 BCE): Bigger Fleet, Same Problem

Caesar wasn’t one to accept defeat. The very next year, he returned with a much larger force—five legions, 2,000 cavalry, and about 800 ships. This time, the Britons didn’t even try to stop him at the shore. Instead, they retreated inland, waiting for a better opportunity to strike.

At first, things seemed to go well for Caesar. A British prince named Mandubracius, whose father had been killed by the rival warlord Cassivellaunus, joined the Romans, giving them valuable intel. With his help, Caesar pushed deep into British territory, crossing the Thames and forcing Cassivellaunus into a defensive position.

But just as victory seemed within reach, the weather struck again. Another storm battered the Roman fleet, destroying many ships and leaving the army stranded with dwindling supplies. Sensing Roman weakness, Cassivellaunus tried to rally a counterattack. However, his attempts to besiege the Roman base failed, and several British tribes started defecting to Caesar’s side.

Realizing he couldn’t afford a prolonged campaign—especially with winter approaching—Caesar negotiated a deal. Cassivellaunus agreed to pay tribute to Rome and leave Mandubracius alone. With that, Caesar packed up and sailed back to Gaul, never to return.

Did Caesar Actually Conquer Britain?

Not really. While he did establish diplomatic ties and demanded tribute, no permanent Roman presence was left behind. The Britons largely ignored their “agreement” once Caesar left, and it would take almost a century before the Romans finally conquered Britain under Emperor Claudius in 43 CE.

However, Caesar did achieve one thing: he put Britain on Rome’s radar. His expeditions showed that, while challenging, Britain was not beyond Roman reach. Future emperors would take note.

The Real Winner? The Weather

Julius Caesar, the man who conquered Gaul and defeated Pompey, found himself outmaneuvered—not by soldiers, but by British rain and wind. His two campaigns, though daring, ended with the same lesson: even the might of Rome couldn’t always beat Mother Nature.

And so, in the grand tale of Caesar’s conquests, Britain remains a curious chapter—a story where storms, tides, and bad luck proved to be mightier than legions.