Eppillus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eppillus |
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|---|---|
| King of the Atrebates | |
| Reign | c. 20 BC – c. 15 (southern Atrebatic kingdom) c. 7 – c. 15 (northern Atrebatic kingdom) |
| Predecessor | Commius (southern Atrebatic kingdom) Tincomarus (northern Atrebatic kingdom) |
| Successor | Verica, king of the Atrebates |
| Father | Commius |
Eppillus was a client king of the Atrebates tribe in ancient Britain. His name comes from the Celtic word for "little horse." He ruled a part of the land that his father, Commius, once controlled. Commius was a Gaulish leader who had been an ally of Julius Caesar before fleeing to Britain.
We don't have many written records about Eppillus. Most of what we know comes from coins. These coins often say "COMMI.FILI," which means "son of Commius." This suggests Eppillus was indeed Commius's son.
Around 20 BC, after his father Commius died, Eppillus seems to have shared power with another ruler named Tincomarus. The coins of both Eppillus and Tincomarus have the "COMMI.FILI" inscription. This makes historians think they might have been brothers.
Eppillus ruled from Noviomagus Reginorum (modern-day Chichester) in the southern part of the kingdom. Meanwhile, Tincomarus ruled from Calleva Atrebatum (modern-day Silchester) in the north.
Becoming Sole King
Just before 7 AD, Eppillus became the sole ruler of the entire Atrebates territory. It seems Tincomarus was forced out of power. He even went to the Emperor Augustus in Rome to ask for help.
After this, Eppillus's coins started to be marked with the word "Rex," which means "King." This shows that the powerful Roman Empire officially recognized him as the king.
Later Years and Successors
Around 15 AD, Eppillus was replaced as king of the Atrebates by Verica. Verica's coins also say "COMMI.FILI," suggesting he might have been another son of Commius, perhaps a third brother.
At about the same time, coins with Eppillus's name began to appear in Kent, a region ruled by the Cantiaci tribe. This happened after the previous Cantiaci ruler, Dubnovellaunus, was no longer in power.
Historians have a few ideas about what happened:
- Eppillus might have been forced out by Verica and then fled to Kent to become king there.
- He might have peacefully handed over his kingdom to Verica and then been invited to rule the Cantiaci.
- It's also possible that Eppillus died, Verica took over, and the "Eppillus" who ruled in Kent was a different person with the same name.
