Cartimandua (ruled ca.43 - ca.69) was a queen of the Brigantes tribe of northern England during the Roman Empire's occupation of Britain in the 1st century.
Cartimandua's rule over the Brigantes was probably already established when emperor Claudius began the organized conquest of Britain. With her husband Venutius, possibly a warlord of the Carvetii tribe, Cartimandua forged an alliance with the Romans. Nominally independent, Tacitus says the couple were loyal to Rome and "protected by Roman arms". In about 51 AD Cartimandua handed over the British resistance leader Caratacus, who had fled north after being defeated by Publius Ostorius Scapula in Wales, to the Romans.
Tacitus says that after the capture of Caratacus, Venutius became the most prominent leader of resistance to the Roman occupation. Cartimandua had apparently tired of him and married his armour-bearer, Vellocatus, who she elevated to the kingship in Venutius's place. Initially Venutius only sought to overthrow his ex-wife, only later turning his attention to her Roman protectors. The Romans defended their client queen, and Venutius's revolt was defeated by Caesius Nasica during the governorship of Aulus Didius Gallus (52 to 57 AD).
Taking advantage of Roman instability during the year of four emperors, Venutius revolted again in 69 AD. Cartimandua appealed for troops from the Romans, who were only able to send auxiliaries. Cartimandua was evacuated and Venutius took the kingdom. After this event, Cartimandua disappears from the sources.
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Last updated: 10-17-2005 17:54:52
