Fuimus Troes facts for kids

Fuimus Troes is an old play written by Jasper Fisher. It's about the famous Roman leader Julius Caesar and his invasion of Britain way back in 55 BC. The play was published in London in 1633. It's written in a special style called blank verse, which is like poetry without rhymes. It also has songs and features characters like ancient priests (Druids), poets, and a harper. The play finishes with a special performance called a masque and a chorus.

About the Play's Publication

The play Fuimus Troes was published by Robert Allott in 1633. The full title on the original book cover was quite long! It said, "Fuimus Troes, the True Trojans, being a story of the Britaines valour at the Romanes first invasion." This means it was about the bravery of the Britons when the Romans first attacked.

The play was likely performed by students at Magdalen College, Oxford. This happened sometime before the year 1625.

The Trojan Myth in the Play

What "Fuimus Troes" Means

The title of the play, Fuimus Troes, comes from a famous line in an ancient Roman poem called the Aeneid by Virgil. It means "We were Trojans." This refers to an old legend that both the Britons (people from ancient Britain) and the Romans believed they were related to the survivors of the ancient city of Troy. Troy was a famous city from Greek myths.

Britons and Romans: A Shared Past?

In the play, this idea of a shared Trojan past is very important. It suggests that the Britons and Romans were like distant relatives. The play shows the Britons as strong opponents of Roman power. They believed their ancestor was Brutus of Troy, a grandson of Aeneas, one of the Trojan heroes.

The British leader, Cassibelan, even tries to remind Caesar of their common family tree. He says, "As you from Troy, so we, our pedigree do claim; / Why should the branches fight, when as the root's the same?" This means, "We both come from Troy, so why are we fighting?" The play often links the Britons' fighting skills to their Trojan background. They even worship the same ancient gods as the Romans.

Connecting History and Myth

To make the Trojan myth fit with the real history of Caesar's invasion, Jasper Fisher, the play's writer, had to combine different stories. He used Caesar's own writings and also stories from Geoffrey of Monmouth. Geoffrey of Monmouth was a writer who helped spread the Trojan-origin story for Britain. Fisher even changed some character names to make the story work better.

Main Characters in the Play

Summary of the Play's Plot

Caesar's Invasion Plans

The play begins with the ghosts of two ancient warriors, Brennus (a Gaul) and Camillus (a Roman). They talk about the long history of fighting between their people. They watch as Julius Caesar gets ready to invade Britain.

Meanwhile, Nennius of Britain encourages the Britons to protect their island. Caesar explains his plans to his soldiers. He says he's invading because the Britons helped the Gauls fight against him. In Britain, the Druids (ancient priests) pray to their gods for help. A British warrior named Eulinus talks with his friend Hirildas about his love for a woman named Landora.

The First Battle

The different British tribes come together under the leadership of King Cassibelan. Even the king of the Scots sends warriors to help the Britons. The ghost of Brennus appears to Nennius to inspire him to be brave.

After the Romans land, Cassibelan tells Caesar that he shouldn't be attacking his own relatives in Britain. But Caesar says he must make Rome more powerful. The Britons fight hard and push the Romans back. In a one-on-one fight, Nennius is hurt, but he manages to take Caesar's sword. Caesar is embarrassed and runs away. Nennius starts to feel weak, realizing Caesar's sword was poisoned. Even so, he finds the strength to fight and kill Labienus, a Roman.

Trouble Among the Britons

The Britons celebrate their victory, but Nennius dies from his wounds. Before he dies, he tells the Britons to "protect this isle, confound all foreign plots." At his funeral, a fighting match between tribal champions goes wrong. Cassibelan's nephew, Hirildas, is killed by his friend Eulinus.

Cassibelan demands that Eulinus be punished. But Eulinus's uncle, Androgeus, refuses to let this happen. Androgeus then joins forces with Mandubratius, another British king. This disagreement leads to a war between the British tribes.

Caesar's Return and Peace

Mandubratius, angry with Cassibelan, visits Caesar and convinces him to invade Britain again. Caesar gathers a huge army and allies with Mandubratius's tribe. Even though Cassibelan's forces fight bravely, they are forced to surrender.

Eulinus learns that his beloved Landora has taken poison because of all the fighting. In despair, he stabs himself and dies. With Eulinus gone, Androgeus agrees to make peace with Cassibelan. Cassibelan agrees to pay a tribute (a payment) to Rome. Caesar then tells Androgeus and Mandubratius to accept Cassibelan as the king of all Britons.

The Play's Ending

The ghosts of Brennus and Camillus return with the god Mercury. They discuss who was better, the Britons or the Romans. Brennus says that only a leader like Caesar could defeat the Britons. He also predicts that if Rome ever becomes too powerful, brave people will rise up against it. Mercury, the god, predicts that Britain joining the "world's fourth empire" (Rome) will bring a time of peace for everyone.