Full-length Portrait of King Cassivellaunus (Cymbeline), King of the Catuvellauni, Ancient Briton & Chieftain commanding against Roman Emperor Julius Cesar.

The point of a Roman pilum (javelin) found in the defensive ditch at Ebbsfleet (Pegswell Bay, Kent).

Pegswell Bay, on the Isle of Thanet, is believed to be where Caesar landed for his two invasions of England, in 55 and 54 BC.  His first landing led to a skirmish with the native English, which the Romans won, and the tribal leaders sued for peace.  But a storm arose, made worse by a high tide at full moon, and Caesar's ships were damaged. The English seized the opportunity to attack, and forced the Romans to flee.

Caesar vowed to return, and he did so the next year.  He brought more troops, and the English tribes united in the face of the threat, with Cassivellaunus as their leader.  The British initially opposed the landing, but retreated to higher ground upon seeing the size of the fleet, probably to positions around Ramsgate.  The Romans were victorious in this invasion, despite many of their ships again being wrecked by a storm.