Caradocus was the Duke of Cornwall during the reign of Octavius. It was he who suggested to Octavius that he should wed his daughter to Maximus and unite Britain with Rome through that union. When Octavius agreed to the idea, Caradocus sent out his son, Mauricius, to Rome as to deliver the message to Maximus. Conan Meriadoc, the king's nephew, did not approve and nearly attacked Maximus when he landed near Southampton. Only when Caradocus arrived was peace restored. They dispersed and Octavius handed Maximus the kingship and retired, as Caradocus rallied behind Maximus.
Five years after Maximus became king of Britain, he left the country to ravage the land of Gaul. He left Britain in the hands of Caradocus, who became the king unofficially. He ruled Britain for a number of years until he died and was succeeded by his brother, Dionotus.
Caradocus, the Duke of Cornwall, supported the marriage between Octavius's daughter and Maximus.
Welsh legend also claims that he was responsible for the withdrawal of Roman troops from Wales, twenty years before the rest of Britain was left to govern itself.
Valentinian II was restored to the emperorship of Rome while Dionotus, the brother of Caradocus, became king of the Britons.