Caesar's expeditions in 55 and 54 BC, the Claudian conquest of AD 43, and Constantius Chlorus's campaign of AD 296 all required major movement across the Channel. Caesar brought about 25,000 men in his second season, while the Claudian force numbered roughly 30,000. Within the Claudian conquest, Vespasian's assault on the Isle of Wight is described as an invasion of Britain in miniature. Agricola later mounted another maritime operation from the southern shore of the Solway Firth toward southwest Scotland. Fleets also supported Septimius Severus, whose 50,000-strong force included about 7,000 fleet personnel. Elliott argues that Romans would have regarded this maritime component as an ordinary part of their military establishment, even though surviving sources offer only snapshots.
Chapter · 50:23-52:29
Rome's invasions of Britain were amphibious campaigns
Four invasions and later campaigns in Britain show maritime movement as a routine element of Roman military operations.