An Unofficial 'The Rest Is History' Reading List
499. The Roman Conquest of Britain: Julius Caesar’s Invasion (Part 1)
September 29, 2024
Description
Books Referenced
Author: W.C. Sellar and R.J. Yeatman
Context:
Referenced as a book written in 1930 that makes jokes about British historical knowledge, specifically mentioning that 55 BC and 1066 are the only two dates in the book
Author: Ladybird Books
Context:
Mentioned as a childhood book that presented the Roman conquest of Britain as generally a good thing, introducing hot baths, wine, and straight roads
Author: Julius Caesar
Context:
Caesar's account of the Gallic War is quoted at the beginning and referenced throughout as the primary source for the Roman invasion of Britain
Author: Suetonius
Context:
Referenced as Caesar's biographer who reported the story about Caesar seeing Alexander the Great's statue in Cadiz and having a dream about his mother, written about 180 years after the events
Author: Pytheas
Context:
Explicitly mentioned as 'his book On the Ocean, which hasn't survived, but is quoted a lot' - an ancient Greek text describing Britain, Ireland, and Ultima Thule from around 320 BC
Author: René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo
Context:
Referenced as a comic book series that depicts Vercingetorix throwing his armour down at Caesar's feet, parodying a famous historical image