The Roman EmpireRoman Empire The Roman Empire succeeded the 500-year old Roman Republic in 27 BC, and had reached it territorial peak by the early 2nd century AD. Britain came under Roman rule in 43 AD under the Emperor Claudius. The last Roman military and administrative presence in Britain was withdrawn in the early 5th century, but left a legacy of Roman infrastructure and culture that was to form the basis for the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England succeeded the 500-year old Roman Republic in 27 BC, and had reached it territorial peak by the early 2nd century AD. Britain came under Roman rule in 43 AD under the Emperor Claudius. The last Roman military and administrative presence in Britain was withdrawn in the early 5th century, but left a legacy of Roman infrastructure and culture that was to form the basis for the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England