Dubnovellaunus facts for kids

Dubnovellaunus (sometimes spelled Dumnovellaunus) was the name of several kings in ancient Britain. These kings lived around 2,000 years ago, at the end of the 1st century BC and the beginning of the 1st century AD. We know about them from old coins they made and from a famous Roman record called the Res Gestae Divi Augusti. It's possible that some of these kings were the same person.

Who Was Dubnovellaunus?

Dubnovellaunus was a name used by powerful leaders in different parts of ancient Britain. These kings played important roles in their tribes. They helped shape the history of Britain before the Romans fully arrived.

A King in Kent

One king named Dubnovellaunus ruled in a part of Britain known today as Kent. This area was east of the River Medway. He was a leader of the Cantiaci people. This Dubnovellaunus was special because he was the first Cantiaci king to put his name on coins. Some of his coins date back to around 40-30 BC. Later, another king named Vodenos or Vosenios might have taken over. It's also possible they ruled at the same time.

King of the Trinovantes

Another king named Dubnovellaunus became ruler of the Trinovantes people. This tribe lived in what is now Essex and Suffolk. He took over from his father, Addedomarus, around 10-5 BC. Dubnovellaunus ruled for several years. However, he was later replaced by a powerful king named Cunobelinus from the Catuvellauni tribe.

Meeting Emperor Augustus

A British king named Dumnovellaunus is mentioned in a famous Roman document. This document is called the Res Gestae Divi Augusti. It tells about the life and achievements of the Roman Emperor Augustus. Around AD 7, this Dumnovellaunus, along with Tincomarus of the Atrebates tribe, traveled to Rome. They went to ask Emperor Augustus for help or support. Many historians believe this Dumnovellaunus was the same king who ruled the Trinovantes.

Another King in the Midlands

Coins from the Corieltauvi tribe also show a king named Dumnovellaunus. This tribe lived in the central part of Britain, in what is now the East Midlands. These coins are from around AD 45. This Dumnovellaunus seems to have been a king who worked under a more powerful ruler named Volisios. Volisios was likely the main king of the Corieltauvi territory.

Were They the Same Person?

It can be a bit confusing to have so many kings with the same name! Based on when they lived, it's possible that the Dubnovellaunus who ruled the Cantiaci in Kent was the same person as the Dubnovellaunus who ruled the Trinovantes. It's also very likely that the Trinovantian king Dubnovellaunus was the one who visited Emperor Augustus in Rome. However, the Dumnovellaunus of the Corieltauvi tribe was probably a different person, as he lived much later.