|
The Atrebates (meaning settlers) were one of the Celtic tribes
living in the British Islands, prior to the Roman
invasion of Britain. The tribe lived in the south of England, namely in modern Hampshire, West Sussex and Surrey, centred on the capital Calleva Atrebatum (Silchester).
The Atrebates were not native to Britain. Their origin is in Gaul, where the tribe, ruled by Commius during the Gallic Wars, made an alliance with Julius Caesar. Later, during the uprising of Vercingetorix, Commius rebelled against the Romans and joined the Gallic army in the Siege of Alesia. In 51, Commius and his
tribesmen fled to Britain to escape conquest and Roman domination.
Commius' descendants would rule part of the island until Claudius' conquest and
the establishment of Roman Britain. The Atrebates kings are known from
cross-referencing in the ancient sources and by numismatic evidence.
After Roman conquest, the Atrebates' lands were organized into the pro-Roman kingdom of the Regnenses.
Tribal lords
- Commius, the Gaul, escapes from the continent to Britain, ruled until ca.35 BC. This king is mentioned in
Frontinus' Stratagemata
- Commius the younger, son of the previous, ruled ca.35 BC-ca.20 BC
- Tincommius, son of Commius the younger, ruled ca.20 BC-ca.7 AD, until deposed by his brother. Some sources
mention his trip to Rome to plea his case to Caesar Augustus.
- Eppillius, son of Commius the younger, ruled ca.7-ca.10, also deposed by a brother. After this date he fled
the Atrebates lands and became king of the Cantiaci.
- Verica, son of Commius the younger, ruled from ca.10 until possibly ca. 42, when the Atrebates were
conquered by the Catuvellaunii. Verica then appealed for Rome's help and
gave emperor Claudius an excuse to invade Britain.
See also: List of Celtic tribes
External link
|