Caratacus

First biography of Caratacus, Iron Age war leader and arguably one of Britain’s greatest kings, focusing on archaeological material and historical sources.

Caratacus is one of Britain’s greatest kings. Not only did this Iron Age war leader single-handedly direct armed resistance against the Roman legions for eight years across southern England and Wales, but his name, deeds and exploits later resonated down through history.

In the first detailed biography of Caratacus, Miles Russell deploys new research, placing the king in an archaeological and historical context, explaining his pivotal role in the early years of Roman Britain before looking at his literary legacy and reception in modern politics. Russell provides an accessible overview of the local power structures in late Iron Age and early Roman Britain, using the most up-to-date archaeological evidence, before forensically examining the images on Caratacus’ coins and identifying the fields of conflict, while also reassessing his life and deeds as they appear in ancient sources, such as Tacitus and Cassius Dio.

Russell also studies the relationships between Caratacus and other British leaders of the time, such as Boudicca, Verica, Cartimandua and Togodumnus. In the second part, the book’s focus shifts to the legacy of Caratacus and his influence on medieval literature, especially with the legend of King Arthur, as well as his later use as a figure in Welsh nationalism and as a recruiting tool in the First World War.

This multidisciplinary study brings back to life a forgotten king of British history and places him at the very heart of archaeological and historical debate.