Cunobelinus
Cunobelinus was a prominent tribal leader in Britain before the Roman invasion, often referred to as "rex Britannorum," or king of the Britons. He was the son of Tasciovanus and became the ruler of the Catuvellauni around 10 CE. His reign was marked by the unification of the Catuvellauni and the Trinovantes tribes, with his kingdom extending over areas that include modern Essex and Hertfordshire. The period of his rule is notable for the significant imports of Roman goods into his capital, Camulodunum (now Colchester), indicating close ties with the Roman Empire.
However, this relationship faced challenges, especially following a dynastic conflict that led Cunobelinus to exile his son Adminius, who sought refuge in Rome. After Cunobelinus's death around 40 CE, his kingdom was divided between his sons, Caratacus and Togodumnus, who later played key roles in resisting the Roman invasion led by Emperor Claudius. Additionally, Cunobelinus's legacy has persisted in cultural references, such as in William Shakespeare's play "Cymbeline," which highlights his historical significance.
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Cunobelinus
Related civilizations: Britain, Imperial Rome
Major role/position: Tribal leader
Life
Cunobelinus (kew-nuh-buh-LI-nuhs) was the greatest and most powerful of the Briton tribal leaders before the Roman invasion (43 c.e.). The historian Suetonius described him as “rex Britannorum,” or king of the Britons, probably in reference to his considerable wealth and the extensive lands that he ruled. He was the son of Tasciovanus, king of the Catuvellauni. Cunobelinus became ruler of the Catuvellauni about 10 c.e. and acquired Camulodunum, the capital of the Trinovantes, thus uniting the two tribes. His kingdom was quite large, covering Essex and Hertfordshire.
The great quantity of Roman goods imported into Camulodunum (modern Colchester) and the period of generally peaceful relations between Rome and Britain during Cunobelinus’s long reign suggest that he had close links to the Roman world. This relationship may have been threatened, however, in 39 or 40 c.e., when Cunobelinus drove his son Adminius out of Britain, perhaps as part of a dynastic struggle. Adminius fled to the protection of Caligula, then emperor of Rome. After Cunobelinus’s death circa 40 c.e., his kingdom was divided between his sons Caratacus and Togodumnus. Both led the Briton resistance against the emperor Claudius’s invasion of Britain three years later.
Influence
William Shakespeare’s play Cymbeline uses Cunobelinus’s alternate name and refers to his position as king of the Britons.
Bibliography
Potter, T. W. Roman Britain. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1997.
Salway, Peter. The Oxford Illustrated History of Roman Britain. Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 1993.
Todd, Malcolm. Roman Britain. 3d ed. Oxford, England: Blackwell, 1999.