How did the exile of Verica contribute to Claudius’s decision to invade Britain?

The exile of Verica, a king of the Atrebates, was a significant factor in Claudius’s decision to invade Britain in 43 ce.1

After being driven from his kingdom, Verica appealed to Rome for assistance. His plea provided a strategic justification for intervention, as it was calculated that the rising power of the Catuvellauni—who had expanded their influence across the southeast—posed a threat to stability across the English Channel.1

While this appeal offered a pretext for military action, it was not the sole motivation. Claudius’s decision was also driven by his personal ambition to secure glory and popularity, as well as a general inclination toward expanding the empire's frontiers.21