BRITAIN, the anglicized form of the classical name of Eng land, Wales and Scotland, sometimes extended to the British Isles as a whole (Gr. IIperavucat Lat. Britan nia, rarely Brittania). The Greek and Roman forms are doubt less attempts to reproduce a Celtic original, the exact form of which is still a matter of dispute. Brittany (Fr. Bretagne) in western France derived its name from Britain owing to migra tions in the 5th and 6th century A.D.
In what follows, the archaeological interest of early Britain is dealt with, in connection with the history of Britain in pre Roman, Roman, and Anglo-Saxon days; this account being sup plementary to the articles ENGLAND; ENGLISH HISTORY; SCOT LAND, etc.