Atrebates (Britain)

Origins

Commius, king of the Atrebates of northern Gaul, first served Julius Caesar and then joined the Gallic revolt of 52 BCE. Around 50 BCE he fled across the Channel, and coins bearing his name soon appear in central southern Britain, where he appears to have founded a dynasty ruling Hampshire, Berkshire and Sussex.

Rule and society

Kings claiming descent from Commius, notably Tincomarus, Eppillus and Verica, issued gold coins that increasingly copied Roman designs, and Verica's carry a vine leaf and the title REX, signs of friendship with Rome. Calleva, the later Silchester, grew into a planned oppidum with imported wine, olive oil and tableware. Pressure from the Catuvellauni under Cunobelinus and his sons steadily shrank the kingdom.

Decline and legacy

Around 41 or 42 Verica was driven out and went to Rome to seek help, which Claudius used to justify the invasion of 43. Afterwards much of the territory passed to the client Kingdom of the Regni under Togidubnus, and Calleva Atrebatum became a civitas capital of Roman Britain.