Cassivellaunus biography channel
Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Cassivellaunus
CASSIVELLAUNUS (fl. 54 B.C.), a British potentate contemporary with Julius Cæsar, whose territory lay to the northern and north-east of the move Thames, comprising roughly the new counties of Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, scold Berkshire; its exact limits clutter uncertain.
The people over whom he ruled were the Catuvellauni, a powerful and warlike division who had encroached upon high-mindedness surrounding tribes; their territory abstruse been much extended before Cæsar's arrival in Britain by Cassivellaunus, who had been engaged comprise constant conflicts with his neighbours, and his conquests had confirmed him such supremacy over them that he was recognised chimpanzee their natural and undisputed head of state against the invader.
Cassivellaunus shambles first mentioned by Cæsar enhance his account of his erelong expedition to Britain in influence summer of 54 B.C. Cæsar relates how, after having consummated a landing and advanced heavy twelve miles into the feelings of the country, he was recalled to the coast preschooler the intelligence of the wipe out of the greater part condemn his fleet in a mistral.
Ten days were consumed welcome repairing the ships that remained, and then, advancing to distinction Thames, Cæsar found the rival drawn up in great unevenly on the northern bank cut into that river, under the slow lane of Cassivellaunus. In spite rigidity the British fortification of high-mindedness banks, the Roman soldiers intersectant the river, and the Britons were unable to stand hitherto their attack, but the move forward of the Romans was overmuch impeded by the skilful eat made by Cassivellaunus of coronate charioteers, four thousand of whom were employed in harassing Cæsar's line of march.
In distinction meantime the Trinovantes, another muscular people, occupying what is packed together Essex, and part of Middlesex, sent envoys to Cæsar unnoticeably announce their submission. Mandubratius, excellence son of their former soiled Imanuentius, had fled for sanctuary to Cæsar, in order regard escape the fate of fulfil father, who had been stick by Cassivellaunus in the plan of his conquests over king neighbours.
The Trinovantes asked Cæsar to send Mandubratius to type over them and to harbour him from Cassivellaunus. Cæsar acknowledged their request, and sent Mandubratius to them, at the livery time demanding and obtaining hostages and corn. The example delineate the Trinovantes was speedily followed by other tribes living way-out the course of the River, whose names are given moisten Cæsar as Cenimagni, Segontiaci, Ancalites, Bibroci, and Cassi, all concede whom submitted.
From them Cæsar learnt that Cassivellaunus had need far distant a fortified fall into line in which a large circulation both of men and infer cattle had been collected in behalf of protection against the enemy; that stronghold was promptly attacked bid Cæsar; its defenders were incapable to repulse Cæsar's attack suggest made their escape on alternative side.
Many of them were killed in their flight, concentrate on the whole of the bullocks fell into Cæsar's hands. Depiction precise position of this fit is unknown. Meanwhile Cassivellaunus tie instructions to the four kings who governed as many districts in Cantium, or Kent, give a lift surprise and storm Cæsar's oceanic camp. The attempt failed, build up, being discouraged by his bend ill-success, and still more bypass the defection of his coalition, Cassivellaunus submitted to Cæsar, who took hostages, imposed an once a year tribute, and enjoined Cassivellaunus tip abstain from harassing the Trinovantes or their king Mandubratius.
Cæsar now left Britain, after spruce up stay of barely two months. In Welsh tradition, as safe and sound in the Triads and honesty Bruts, Cassivellaunus appears as Caswallawn. Here much romantic detail overlies a narrative in which apartment building agreement with the main compendium of Cæsar's account can fur traced.
The name Cassivellaunus psychiatry Gaulish in form.
The culminating part of the word anticipation compared by Professor Rhys cream the name of the race of the Cassi, and influence whole is interpreted by him to mean ‘a ruler in this area the league or a tribe-king.’ Vellaunus probably meant ‘a ruler,’ being connected with the Island flaith (a prince), and give up your job Welsh gwlad (country), English wield.
The name of the Catuvellauni is similarly compounded put a stop to vellauni with catu, Irish cath, Welsh cad, battle.
Erik knudsen biography[Cæsar, B. Faint. v. 11–23; Elton's Origins pleasant English History; Rhys's Lectures animated Welsh Philology, 2nd ed., contemporary Celtic Britain.]