2018-05-04 Fri

The figure of Britannia is familiar to everybody, a female personification of the island of Great Britain. The martial Britannia was used as an emblem of British imperial power and unity. Yet, there are many unanswered questions about her origin?

The history of Britannia can be traced back to the Roman times. Britannia was the Greek and Roman term for the geographical region of Great Britain, which was inhabited by the Britons. Hence, by the 1st century BC, Britannia was popularised and used in Great Britain specifically. She survived through the times and following the Acts of Union in 1707, the Kingdoms of England and Scotland unanimously adopted Britannia as an emblem of British imperial power and unity.

We have traced her history through her depiction on various coins, banknotes and stamps. To read about it click here.

Image Courtesy: Google Images