Cogidubnus

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Cogidubnus, British king of the Regni (Regnenses). The ancestry of Cogidubnus is obscure. It is possible that he was a prince of the Atrebates, for his kingdom during the early years of the Roman occupation included the southern part of the old Atrebatic kingdom. Tacitus records that he was a loyal friend of Rome, and this is confirmed by his forenames— Tiberius Claudius—which reflect Claudius' grant of Roman citizenship to the king. He appears to have been installed in a newly created kingdom by the Romans at the time of the invasion, and to have provided them with a safe base at Fishbourne on Chichester harbour for their campaign in south-west England. The palace which was built over the site of the Roman camp is likely to have been erected by Cogidubnus, although he may not have lived to see it completed in the late 70s.

Keith Branigan