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Landing of Julius Caesar in Britain, 54BC
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Landing of Julius Caesar in Britain, 54BC
A standard-bearer of the 10th legion in bearskin leads Roman infantry onto a beach at Sandwich, 54BC. Julius Caesar in breastplate and coat stands on board an anachronistic steamboat. Britons in animal skins with maces and cudgels fight them in the sea. Landing of Julius Caesar. Handcoloured steel engraving after an illustration by John Leech from Gilbert Abbott A Becketts Comic History of England, Bradbury, Agnew & Co. London, 1880
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Media ID 23388354
© Florilegius
1066 Abbott Abeckett Anachronism Anachronistic Armor Caesar Chain Comical Conqueror Drum Dukes Gilbert Herald Horseback Humor Inspecting Invasion Julius Knights Landing Leech Mace Mail Normans Previous Scissors Volunteers
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This handcoloured steel engraving, titled 'Landing of Julius Caesar in Britain, 54BC,' depicts a pivotal moment in history as the Roman army, led by the legendary commander Julius Caesar, sets foot on British soil for the first time. The image, created by John Leech and published by Bradbury, Agnew & Co. in 1880, is an intriguing blend of fact and fiction. Julius Caesar, dressed in a breastplate and coat, stands confidently on the deck of an anachronistic steamboat, gazing out at the British shore. A standard-bearer of the 10th legion, wearing a bearskin headdress, leads the Roman infantry onto the sandy beach. The Britons, clad in animal skins and armed with maces and cudgels, are shown engaging in hand-to-hand combat with the Romans in the sea. The anachronism of Caesar's steamboat, a technology that would not be invented for over a thousand years, adds a whimsical touch to this historical scene. The image also includes several other anachronisms, such as knights on horseback, chain mail suits, and helmets, which were not present during Caesar's invasion. Despite these anachronisms, the engraving captures the spirit of the era and the excitement of the first Roman invasion of Britain. The intricate details, from the herald bearing the Roman eagle standard to the pub in the background where volunteers are no doubt recruiting, add depth and humor to this caricatured representation of history. The use of color further enhances the visual appeal of the image, making it a fascinating glimpse into the past.
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