Did the Romans know about Ireland...?

Answer 1

Written evidence from ancient Ireland doesn't exist due to the fact that prior to the introduction of Christianity, a written language did not exist in Ireland. The Romans certainly knew that Ireland (Hibernia) existed and they believed it to have been positioned between Spain and Britain. Its close proximity to Roman Britain led Agricola, governor of Britain, to consider invading Hibernia, as he thought he could better handle Britain if it were confronted by Rome on both the eastern and western coasts. There is no evidence, however, to suggest that he ever did invade. It wasn't until the second century that the Greek, Ptolemy, drew the first map of Ireland, but the Greeks, like the Romans, considered Ireland to be the westernmost outpost of the world and were also aware of Ireland’s small trading. The second site below, however, supports the idea that Ireland WAS invaded by the Romans!

Answer 2

It's a fantastic question, I've not looked into it much, but I'm pretty sure they must have done, just not cared enough to invade.
The fact that the Romans had a fantastic gift for inculturation, and learning the politics of particular environments, meant they probably received, and stored, a fantastic amount of local knowledge in the years they occupied Britain.
That is, when they weren't molesting young boys, or having drunken orgies with prostitutes by the dozen.
It has to be said, before the acceptance of Christianity in the 4th Century, the Romans were an insolubrious bunch at best.
I would say, if the Romans never discovered Ireland (which I find unlikely) then Ireland is all the better for it, but if they did, and just decided not to go there (or at least, invade), then the Irish must be some of the luckiest people the world will ever know.

Answer 3

Their historians named it as Hibernia. Strabbo and Tacitus both mention Ireland as such. Agricola mounted a brief foray against Ireland in 81AD both to keep the Irish chiefs in check and as an example to the indigenous Celts in Britannia. The reason not to invade full scale was undoubtedly both a military and economic one. Agricola was at that time fully engaged in subduing Scotland in the North. No doubt the Romans already exacted tribute from Irish trading vessels- a source of revenue. Perhaps it was calculated that the cost of maintaining and supplying a garrison there could not be financially justified, even in terms of the export of goods like slaves, dogs or grain. I think the Romans were ever pragmatists. I also wonder if geographically Ireland had any large natural coastal harbours to facilitate the mass disembarkation of troops?

Answer 4

Yes, Hibernia or Ierne.
Tacitus said it could be conquered with a single legion, a statement that has annoyed patriotic Irishmen.
Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a second-century Roman camp on the East Coast of Ireland. It was only there for a couple of seasons, it seems.

Answer 5

It would be strange if they didn't. On a clear day, Ireland can be seen from a few places in the west of Britain. Trade linked the two islands long before (and after) Roman times.

Answer 6

Yes they did. However it was never considered worth conquering. Britain was more of a priority. The Roman Ireland name was Hibernia.

Answer 7

Hadrian's Wall became into to no longer shop out the Picts? it style of sounds like an excellent kind of paintings to construct and strengthen a wall with squaddies just to declare "it is not worth going greater desirable." actually yet another Emperor could try, if he had the money. Did Hadrian be attentive to there became into no longer something in Scotland worth taking, or did he only assume? No, it might've been equipped as insurance against an invasion. As for the Romans no longer invading eire, by ability of Hadian's time the Empire became into unfold too everywhere to correctly patrol it. that's why the partitions, to guard against invasion (or decelerate the invaders) because of the fact there have been no longer adequate squaddies. and how docile have been the conquered Britons? An invader likes to be attentive to his back is (and his materials are) secure till now he conquers greater desirable. And information from the capital became into annoying to get on the frontier. It takes time, adult males, a deliver and horses to deliver a call for for troops, funds and different needs and for the Emperor or the Senate to deliver back a "No! What for? Do you think of we've funds to waste on invasions with the precarious concern in Germania?"

Answer 8

Yes they did - but the reason the Romans went anywhere was merely to strip the conquered land of its resources - they could not see anything worth taking from Ireland, so left it alone........

Answer 9

No.Romans had mostly trade relations with far East and Asia.Roman coins are famous.The excavations or historic discoveries in Ireland had not found any Roman coins or artefacts.The Roman epics does not describe Ireland any where.The Greatest Emperor of Rome King Ramsus and songs praising him does not contain any mention of Ireland.

Answer 10

Yes they were aware of Ireland an would trade with the island. They did have outposts which helped develop some of the major cities like Belfast and Dublin.