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Cartimandua Wikipedia

Cartimandua (or Cartismandua, ruled ca.43 - 69) was a queen of the Brigantes nation of northern England during the Roman Empire's occupation of Roman Britain|Britain in the 1st century. Her name means "sleek pony".

Cartimandua's rule over the Brigantes was probably already established when emperor Claudius began the organized Roman invasion of Britain|conquest of Britain in AD 43, and certainly by the time a revolt of a faction of the Brigantes was defeated by Publius Ostorius Scapula in 48. With her consort, Venutius, whom some have identified as a member of the Carvetii nation, 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.

Some time after the capture of Caratacus, Cartimandua divorced Venutius, marrying his armour-bearer, Vellocatus, and elevating him to the kingship. Despite Cartimandua holding his brother and other relatives hostage, Venutius made war first against her, then against her Roman protectors. He built alliances outside the Brigantes, and during the governorship of Aulus Didius Gallus (52 - 57 AD) he staged an invasion of the kingdom. The Romans had anticipated this and sent auxiliary cohorts to defend their client queen. The fighting was inconclusive until Caesius Nasica, commanding the Legio IX Hispana, intervened and defeated the rebels.

Taking advantage of Roman instability during the year of four emperors, Venutius staged another revolt in 69, again with help from other nations. 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.

Last Modified:   2005-12-19