Caratacus
Caratacus (Brythonic *Caratācos, Middle Welsh Caratawc; Welsh Caradog; Breton Karadeg; Greek: Καράτακος; variants Latin: Caractacus, Greek: Καταράκατος) was a 1st-century AD British chieftain of the Catuvellauni tribe, who resisted the Roman conquest of Britain.
| Caratacus | |
|---|---|
| King of the Britons King of the Catuvellauni | |
Caractacus before the Emperor Claudius at Rome, 18th-century print, artist unknown (British Museum). | |
| King of the Catuvellauni | |
| Reign | 1st century AD, to c. 50 |
| Predecessor | Epaticcus |
| Successor | None (Catuvellauni territory conquered by Claudius) |
| King of the Britons | |
| Reign | 43–50 |
| Predecessor | Cunobelinus |
| Successor | Cogidubnus |
| Born | c. 10? Probably in Catuvellauni territory |
| Died | After c. 50 Rome |
| Brythonic | *Caratācos |
| Greek | Καράτακος / Καρτάκης |
| Father | Cunobelinus |
| Mother | Unknown |
Before the Roman invasion, Caratacus is associated with the expansion of his tribe's territory. His apparent success led to Roman invasion, nominally in support of his defeated enemies. He resisted the Romans for almost a decade, using guerrilla warfare, but when he offered a set-piece battle he was defeated by Roman forces. After defeat he fled to the territory of Queen Cartimandua, who captured him and handed him over to the Romans. He was sentenced to death, but made a speech before his execution that persuaded the Emperor Claudius to spare him.
Caratacus' speech to Claudius has been a common subject in art.