Cassivelaunus was a historical British chieftain who led the defence against Julius Caesar's second expedition to Britain in 54 BC. He also appears in British legend as one of Geoffrey of Monmouth's kings of Britain, and in the Mabinogion and Welsh Triads as Caswallawn, Caswallon or Kaswallawn, son of Beli. Painting of Gaius Julius Caesar Bust of Julius Caesar Gaius Julius Caesar (Latin: C·IVLIVS·C·F·C·N·CAESAR¹) (July 12 or July 13, 100 BC – March 15, 44 BC) was a Roman military and political leader whose conquest of Gallia Comata extended the Roman world all the way... Centuries: 2nd century BC - 1st century BC - 1st century Decades: 100s BC 90s BC 80s BC 70s BC 60s BC - 50s BC - 40s BC 30s BC 20s BC 10s BC 0s BC Years: 59 BC 58 BC 57 BC 56 BC 55 BC 54 BC 53 BC 52 BC 51... A legend (Latin, legenda, things to be read) is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude. ... Geoffrey of Monmouth was a clergyman and one of the major figures in the development of British history. ... The Mabinogion is a collection of prose stories from medieval Welsh manuscripts. ... The Welsh Triads (Welsh, Trioedd Ynys Prydein) is used to describe any of the related Medieval collection of groupings of three that preserve a major portion of Welsh folklore and Welsh literature. ...

History

Cassivellaunus is the first British individual known to history. He appears in Julius Caesar's De Bello Gallico, having been given command of the combined British forces opposing Caesar's second invasion of Britain. Caesar does not mention Cassivellaunus's tribe, but his territory, north of the river Thames, corresponds with that later inhabited by the Catuvellauni. De Bello Gallico (literally On the Gallic Wars in Latin) is an account written by Julius Caesar about his nine years of war in Gaul. ... Length 346 km Elevation of the source 110 m Average discharge  ? m³/s Area watershed 12935 km² Origin Kemble Mouth North Sea Basin countries England This article is about the River Thames in southern England. ... The Catuvellaunii (meaning probably good in battle) were one of the Celtic tribes living in the British Isles, before the Roman invasion of Britain. ...

Caesar tells us that Cassivellaunus had previously been at constant war with the British tribes, and had overthrown the king of the Trinovantes, the most powerful tribe in Britain at the time. The king's son, Mandubracius, fled to Caesar in Gaul. The Trinovantes or Trinobantes were one of the Celtic tribes that dwelt in pre-Roman Britain. ... Gallia (in English Gaul) is the Latin name for the region of western Europe occupied by present-day France, Belgium, western Switzerland and the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the west bank of the Rhine river. ...

Despite Cassivellaunus's harrying tactics, designed to prevent Caesar's army from foraging and plundering for food, Caesar advanced to the Thames. The only fordable point was defended and fortified with sharp stakes, but the Romans managed to cross it. Cassivellaunus dismissed most of his army and resorted to guerilla tactics, relying on his knowledge of the territory and the speed of his chariots.

Five British tribes, the Cenimagni, the Segontiaci, the Ancalites, the Bibroci and the Cassi, surrendered to Caesar and revealed the location of Cassivellaunus's stronghold, which Caesar proceeded to put under siege. Cassivellaunus managed to get a message to the four kings of Kent, Cingetorix, Carvilius, Taximagulus and Segovax, to gather their forces and attack the Roman camp on the coast, but the Romans defended themselves successfully, capturing a chieftain called Lugotorix. On hearing of the defeat and the devastation of his territories, Cassivellaunus surrendered. Hostages were given and a tribute agreed. Mandubracius was restored to the kingship of the Trinovantes, and Cassivellaunus undertook not to wage war against him. All this achieved, Caesar returned to Gaul. Kent is a county in England, south-east of London. ...

The Catuvellaunii (meaning probably good in battle) were one of the Celtic tribes living in the British Isles, before the Roman invasion of Britain. ... Tasciovanus was a historical king of the British Catuvellauni tribe before the Roman conquest. ...

Legend

In Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae (History of the Kings of Britain), Cassivellaunus was the son of King Heli and regent for his nephew Androgeus, the son of King Lud. Geoffrey of Monmouths Historia Regum Britanniæ (English: The History of the Kings of Britain) was written around 1136. ... This article is about the Mythical British king Heli. ... Androgeus was a legendary Duke of Trinovantum and Kent as accounted by Geoffrey of Monmouth. ... Lud was a legendary king of the Britons as accounted by Geoffrey of Monmouth. ...

Soon after Lud's death, Cassivelaunus was crowned king in favor of his two young nephews whom he had been serving for as regent. He gave to his elder nephew the duchy of Kent and Trinovantum (London), and gave to his younger nephew, Tenvantius, the duchy of Cornwall. Kent is a county in England, south-east of London. ... Trinovantum (Latin: New Troy) refers to the capital city of the Trinovantes tribe of Celts who settled along the banks of the River Thames before the time of the Roman conquest of Britain. ... Greater London and the Regions of England. ... Tasciovanus was a historical king of the British Catuvellauni tribe before the Roman conquest. ... Cornwall (Cornish: Kernow or occasionally Curnow) is the part of Great Britains south-west peninsula that is west of the River Tamar, often known as the Cornish peninsula or plateau. ...

Sometime in the beginning of his reign, Julius Caesar requested the British to pay tribute to Rome as a means of avoiding warfare between the two kingdoms which claim descent from the Trojans. Cassivelaunus refused the offer and Caesar invaded the country along the banks of the River Thames. After much fighting, Nennius, Cassivelaunus's brother, stole Caesar's sword and led the army of the Britons successfully against the Romans. They pushed the Romans back to their ships where they fled to Gaul and brooded over their loss. Location within Italy The Roman Colosseum Rome (Italian and Latin: Roma) is the capital city of Italy and of its Latium region. ... Walls of the excavated city of Troy (Turkey) This article is about the city of Troy / Ilion as described in the works of Homer, and the location of an ancient city associated with it. ... Roman invasion of Britain: Britain was the target of invasion by forces of the Roman Republic and Roman Empire several times during its history. ... Length 346 km Elevation of the source 110 m Average discharge  ? m³/s Area watershed 12935 km² Origin Kemble Mouth North Sea Basin countries England This article is about the River Thames in southern England. ... Nennius was a legendary leader of the Britons as accounted by Geoffrey of Monmouth. ... Roman or Romans has several meanings, primarily related to the Roman citizens, but also applicable to typography, math, and a commune. ... Gallia (in English Gaul) is the Latin name for the region of western Europe occupied by present-day France, Belgium, western Switzerland and the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the west bank of the Rhine river. ...

The Romans waited two years until they returned to Britain. Cassivelaunus rebuilt city walls and defences throughout Britain while awaiting Caesar's attack. Most famously, he commanded that large spikes be placed in the water beneith the Thames so that the bottom of the Roman ships would be gutted as they floated down the river. Mass conscription went out among the Britons and barracks were constructed all along the river.

Around 54 BC, the Romans finally invaded again and were devestated in the river and along the shores of the River Thames. After numerous charges, the Romans were defeated and forced off Britain once again. Cassivelaunus celebrated the victory with massive sacrificing of animals in London. Centuries: 2nd century BC - 1st century BC - 1st century Decades: 100s BC 90s BC 80s BC 70s BC 60s BC - 50s BC - 40s BC 30s BC 20s BC 10s BC 0s BC Years: 59 BC 58 BC 57 BC 56 BC 55 BC 54 BC 53 BC 52 BC 51...

It was at this celebration that Androgeus and Cassivelaunus fought over the death of a relative. Cassivelaunus became angry and ravaged the lands of Androgeus causing Androgeus to seek the aid of Caesar. Caesar invaded for a third time and occupied London due to the help of Androgeus. Cassivelaunus counterattacked but was not able to defeat Caesar so he fled to a hill outside the city and held his ground. All night Caesar attacked them then he continued a siege of the hill for two days, starving out the Britons.

Fearing doom, Cassivelaunus wrote to Androgeus seeking peace with him and Caesar. Androgeus discussed terms with Caesar and Cassivelaunus agreed to pay tribute annually to Rome. Caesar and Cassivelaunus became friends over that winter while Caesar remained in Britain, then Caesar returned to Gaul and did not return.

Cassivelaunus died six years after that winter and was buried in York. His nephew, Tenvantius, succeeded him to the kingship. York is a city in Northern England, built at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss. ...

In the Mabinogion, Caswallawn son of Beli is mentioned as having seized the throne of Britain from Bran the Blessed while the latter was fighting a war in Ireland. In the Welsh Triads Caswallawn is said to have crossed the sea with 21,000 men in pursuit of Caesar, and never returned. His horse is named as Meinlas and his lover as Fflur, daughter of Mygnach the Dwarf. According to Iolo Morgannwg's collection of triads, Caswallawn had rescued the abducted Fflur from Caesar in Gaul, killing 6,000 Romans, and Caesar invaded Britain in response. The Mabinogion is a collection of prose stories from medieval Welsh manuscripts. ... In Welsh mythology, Caswallawn son of Beli was a legendary king of Britain who fought Julius Caesar. ... Bran the Blessed (aka Bendigeidfran) was a character in Welsh mythology, a son of Llyr and Penarddun, who appears in the Mabinogion. ... The Welsh Triads (Welsh, Trioedd Ynys Prydein) is used to describe any of the related Medieval collection of groupings of three that preserve a major portion of Welsh folklore and Welsh literature. ... Iolo Morganwg (or Morgannwg in modern spelling) was the bardic name of Edward Williams (Llancarfan, Glamorgan, Wales 1747-1826). ...

Androgeus was a legendary Duke of Trinovantum and Kent as accounted by Geoffrey of Monmouth. ... The term King of the Britons refers to the legendary kings of Celtic Great Britain as established by such pseudo-historical authors as Nennius, Gildas, and predominantly Geoffrey of Monmouth. ... Tasciovanus was a historical king of the British Catuvellauni tribe before the Roman conquest. ...

External Links

• Julius Caesar's Gallic War (http://classics.mit.edu/Caesar/gallic.html)
• Geoffrey of Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain (pdf) (http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/mab/)
• The Mabinogion (http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/mab/)
• The Welsh Triads (http://camelot.celtic-twilight.com/triads/)
• Iolo Morgannwg's Triads (http://www.tylwythteg.com/triads/triads.html)