Commius
Commius was a notable figure from the Atrebates tribe, a Gallic group located in what is now northern France near Calais. He initially allied with Julius Caesar during the Roman invasions of Gaul, which led to his appointment as king of the Atrebates. In 55 BCE, he attempted to gather support from the Gauls in England but was captured upon arrival. Following Caesar's military successes, Commius served as a mediator between the Romans and the Britons. His military contributions included fighting against Germanic tribes and participating in the Gallic resistance led by Vercingetorix. However, after opposing Caesar, he fled to Germany to escape Roman retribution. Commius is also noted for issuing some of the earliest coins in Britain, marking his influence in the region. Ultimately, he returned to Britain, where he continued to rule as king of the Atrebates until the end of his life.
Commius
Related civilizations: Republican Rome, England, Gaul
Major role/position: Political and military leader
Life
Commius (KOH-mee-uhs) was a noble of the Atrebates, a Gallic tribe near modem Calais. He allied with Julius Caesar when Caesar invaded Gaul, and in return, was made king of the Atrebates. In 55 b.c.e., when Caesar invaded England, Commius preceded him in an attempt to recruit the Gauls there, but they imprisoned him as soon as he arrived. After Caesar defeated them, they sent Commius to negotiate with him. When Caesar invaded Britain again and defeated Cassivellaunus, Commius was again their negotiator. Commius helped Caesar against the Germans in 53 b.c.e. In return, was made king over the Morini. When Vercingetorix revolted, Commius joined him and was one of the commanders of the force that attempted to relieve Caesar’s siege of Alesia. Commius and the Atrebates joined the Gallic revolt in 52 b.c.e.; Commius recruited Germans to the cause. When this revolt was defeated, Commius fled to Germany. He escaped a Roman assassination attempt with a head wound. After the Atrebates surrendered to Caesar in 51 b.c.e., Commius organized a band of cavalry to raid Roman possessions. Defeated by the Romans, he escaped to Britain, where he finished his life as king of the Atrebates there.
Influence
Commius was an important Gallic noble and served Caesar well for a time. However, after he later opposed Caesar, he was forced to flee his homeland. He appears to have issued some of the first coins in Britain.
Bibliography
Caesar, Julius. The Gallic War. Translated by Carolyn Hammond. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 1996.
Todd, Malcolm. Roman Britain. 3d ed. Oxford, England: Blackwell, 1999.