Carvetii facts for kids

The Carvetii were an ancient British Celtic tribe. They lived in what is now Cumbria, in North-West England. They were around during the Iron Age, a time before the Romans arrived. Later, when the Romans took over, the Carvetii became a civitas (say: SIV-ih-tas), which was like a local government area or canton.

What Does Their Name Mean?

The name Carvetii likely comes from an old word meaning 'deer'. So, their name might mean "those who belong to the deer" or "the deer people." This idea comes from looking at similar words in Welsh, Breton, and Irish languages.

Where Did They Live?

Historians believe the Carvetii lived in several areas of North-West England. These areas include the Solway Plain, which is just south of where Hadrian's Wall was later built. They also lived in the Eden Valley and possibly the Lune Valley. Another tribe, the Setantii, might have lived in North Lancashire and southern Cumbria.

How Do We Know About Them?

The Carvetii are not mentioned in old Roman books or maps. We only know they existed because of three Roman inscriptions. These were carved messages from the 200s and 300s AD. One inscription was on a tombstone found at a Roman fort called Voreda, near modern Penrith. The other two were on milestones (stone markers on roads) found near Penrith as well.

Because of these inscriptions, experts believe there was a "civitas Carvetiorum." This means the Carvetii had their own local government or council.

Their Main Town or Centre

Historians think the main town or capital of the Carvetii was Luguvalium, which is now Carlisle. Carlisle was the only walled town known in that region during Roman times.

However, some experts suggest another place, Clifton Dykes, might have been their original main centre. This is because the inscriptions were found nearby, and the land there was very good. Clifton Dykes is a large ancient settlement site south-east of Penrith. Even if Carlisle became important later under the Romans, the Eden Valley, where Clifton Dykes is, was likely the heartland of the Carvetii before the Romans arrived.

The area around Brougham was also important. It had ancient meeting places and was key for routes to the east. This might explain why the Romans built a fort there called Brocavum. Some even think the name 'Carvetii' might be linked to a horned god called Belatucadrus, who was worshipped in the area.

Carlisle itself grew from a Roman fort at Stanwix and a large civilian settlement south of the River Eden. This settlement, called a vicus (say: VEE-kus), was where ordinary people lived near the fort.

Connections with Other Tribes

The Carvetii might have been part of a larger group of tribes called the Brigantes. Some historians believe that Venutius, a famous British resistance leader, might have been a Carvetian. Venutius was the first husband of Queen Cartimandua of the Brigantes. He fought against the Romans in the 1st century AD.

Roman armies, led by Governor Quintus Petillius Cerialis, marched through the Carvetii's land. This suggests that the Carvetii's territory might have been where Venutius had his power.

However, not all historians agree. Some argue that the idea of "tribes" in the north might not be accurate. They also say there is no clear proof that the Brigantes controlled other northern groups. There's also no certain evidence that Venutius was a Carvetian. Some believe the Carvetii were actually friendly with the Romans and based in Carlisle. In this view, Venutius might have led an anti-Roman group from a different area, perhaps further south in the Eden Valley.

See also

• List of Celtic tribes
• Magnae of the Carvetii