King Caratacus : Tribal King of Europe.

The Catuvellauni's King Caratacus was a thorn in the Romans side for most of his adult life. Through Caratacus leadership he was able to inspire the British tribes to rebel against the invading Roman Legions.The tribal leader inspired his Welsh allies the Sirules and the Ordovices to hold out against the Roman Legions between 58-78AD. Caratacus also helped lead the resistance in England with his own tribe the Catuvellauni's although he had less success in England. Caratacus was a figure head that the tribes of the British Isles looked to as an inspiration. And Caratacus helped show that the Roman Legion was not unbeatable, maybe Caratacus helped inspire tribes people not directly linked to Britain.

Source : Wikimedia Commons
A soldier of the Roman Empire.

Caratacus is believed to be the son of the Catuvellaunian King Cunobelinus , It was King Cunobelinus and his brother Epaticcus who expanded Catuvellaunian's power West into the lands of the Atrebate tribe. When his uncle died, Caractacus continued the fight against the Atrebates . It is alleged that the defeated leader of the Atrebate tribe asked the Roman emperor Claudius for help in reclaiming these lands. In 43AD the Emperor Claudius decided to launch his conquest of the British Isles.

Caratacus and his brother met the invading legions and attempted to halt the invasion of Catuvellaunian territory. The British tribal warriors had around 40,000 warriors at their disposal against the four legions under the command of Aulus Plautius's . The British resistance was crushed in two major battles, at the Rivers Thames and Medway. The Legions ability to cross the rivers at will opened up the heartland of England. These defeats handed the Roman's much of the South East of England and all a depleted enemy could offer up was hit and run sabotage tactics.

Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Roman Britain

With the loss of Caratacus's joint leader and brother Togodumnus, and with the Catuvellauni's territories conquered by the Roman Legions. Caratacus decided to continue to resist the Roman Empires invasion further to the west. It is likely he moved into Wales were the geography of the area would help in guerrilla warfare. Caratacus helped the Silures and Ordovices in repelling the Roman legion, and this alliance was very effective in resisting Rome. We know that the Welsh tribes were able to restrict Roman advancement into Welsh territories. Caratacus was defeated in a set piece battle in 51AD and fled to the north of England, we know that the Romans had captured his wife, daughter and brother.

Caratacus fled into the Brigantes territory, in what is now modern day Yorkshire. Here he hoped to find some sanctuary and more recruit more allies to combat the Roman advance. Caratacus found in the Brigantine Queen, a woman shrewd enough to know handing over Caratactus to the Romans was a good long-term strategy. Caratacus was handed to the Roman Empire in change and was destined to meet the same fate as his fellow resistance leaders such as Vercingetorix in mainland Europe. With Caratacus in chains the Roman high command suppressed the area south of the River Humber.

Caratacus was transported to Rome, so he could be paraded before the Roman Senate and Emperor Claudius. When Caratacus was brought in front of the Emperor he made an impassioned and eloquent speech, defending his actions before the senate and extolling his noble character. The Roman's so moved by his speech granted him clemency and he was allowed to stay in Rome as a permanent guest of the Empire. Caratacus was to stay in Rome and never return to his homeland. Caratacus was struck by his new surroundings, and often wondered why the mighty Roman Empire wanted the tribal lands of the British when they had the majesty of the Imperial city.