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Cassivellaunus
Cassivellaunus. British chief or king. Cassivellaunus is known only from the war diaries of Julius Caesar and Dio Cassius' later derivative account of Caesar's invasions of 55 and 54 bc. Nevertheless, he may well have been a key figure in the political development of south-eastern Britain before the Roman conquest. Caesar recounts that before his invasions, Cassivellaunus had been in a continual state of warfare with neighbouring tribes. His territory is described as beginning some 75 miles from the sea, and on the far side (that is, on the north bank) of the Thames. This places him in the Chilterns and suggests that he may have been the first local chieftain to found a kingdom here which was later to dominate most of south-east England under the tribal name of the Catuvellauni. His abilities as a war leader are confirmed by his selection by the British, even those he had recently been fighting, to lead the opposition to Caesar. His subsequent handling of his forces and his use of guerrilla tactics, which prevented Caesar from achieving the total victory he was seeking, suggest a shrewd military mind. The location of his stronghold is uncertain but Wheathamstead near Welwyn is possible.
Keith Branigan |
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Cite this article
JOHN CANNON. "Cassivellaunus." The Oxford Companion to British History. 2002. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN CANNON. "Cassivellaunus." The Oxford Companion to British History. 2002. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O110-Cassivellaunus.html JOHN CANNON. "Cassivellaunus." The Oxford Companion to British History. 2002. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O110-Cassivellaunus.html |
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Cassivellaunus
Cassivellaunus British chief or king. Cassivellaunus is known only from the war diaries of Julius Caesar and Dio Cassius' later derivative account of Caesar's invasions of 55 and 54 BC. Nevertheless, he may have been a key figure in south‐eastern Britain before the Roman conquest. His territory is described as beginning some 75 miles from the sea, and on the far side of the Thames. This places him in the Chilterns and suggests that he may have founded a kingdom there under the tribal name of the Catuvellauni. His abilities as a leader are confirmed by his selection by the British to lead the opposition to Caesar.
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Cite this article
JOHN CANNON. "Cassivellaunus." A Dictionary of British History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN CANNON. "Cassivellaunus." A Dictionary of British History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O43-Cassivellaunus.html JOHN CANNON. "Cassivellaunus." A Dictionary of British History. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O43-Cassivellaunus.html |
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Cassivellaunus
Cassivellaunus , fl. 54 BC, British chieftain, a leader in the resistance against the invasion of Julius Caesar in 54 BC Caesar crossed the Thames River into Cassivellaunus's home country. Aided by discontented British tribes, he attacked Cassivellaunus in his strong fort in the marshes (probably at Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire) and drove the Britons out with heavy losses. Cassivellaunus sued for peace, which Caesar granted in return for hostages and an annual tribute. |
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Cite this article
"Cassivellaunus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Cassivellaunus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Cassivel.html "Cassivellaunus." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Cassivel.html |
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Cassivellaunus
Cassivellaunus, Cassibela(u)nus. Roman name for a British chieftain north of the Thames who commanded the forces resisting Caesar's second invasion (54 BC). He was defeated and sued for peace. Known as Cassibelen in Shakespeare's Cymbeline (1610–11), he may have contributed to the character of Caswallon in Welsh literature. Sometimes thought of as the brother of Lludd.
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Cite this article
JAMES MacKILLOP. "Cassivellaunus." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JAMES MacKILLOP. "Cassivellaunus." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-Cassivellaunus.html JAMES MacKILLOP. "Cassivellaunus." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O70-Cassivellaunus.html |
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