Iron Age tribes in Britain facts for kids
The names of the Celtic Iron Age tribes in Britain come from old records. Roman and Greek historians and mapmakers, especially Ptolemy, wrote them down. We also learn about these tribes from where their coins have been found. This helps us guess how big their territories were across the island.
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How We Know About Them
Historians believe that smaller groups of people in the Middle Iron Age often joined together. They formed bigger tribal kingdoms later in the Iron Age.
Some tribes, like the Belgae and Atrebates, have names similar to groups in France and Belgium. The Roman leader Julius Caesar even wrote that Diviciacus, a ruler from a tribe called the Suessiones, also controlled land in Britain. This suggests that parts of Britain might have been ruled by people from mainland Europe. The Parisii tribe might also have been immigrants.
Historians have tried to identify tribes by looking at their pottery. But this only works for some areas, mostly in the south. Also, we don't know the actual names of most of these pottery-defined groups.
It's important to remember that the names we use today might not be what the tribes called themselves. For example, "Durotriges" means "hillfort-dwellers." This name came from the fact that people in this area kept living in hillforts even when others stopped. But it's unlikely the Durotriges saw this as their main feature. Another name, "Regnenses," is a Latin word meaning "people of the (client) kingdom."
Main Tribes of Iron Age Britain
The names of these tribes were first written down around the 2nd century. By this time, the Iron Age was already ending, and Britain was becoming part of the Roman Empire. So, the tribes listed here might not be exactly the same groups that lived in these areas during the earlier Iron Age.
Tribes in Southern Britain
- Atrebates
- Belgae
- Cantiaci
- Catuvellauni
- Dobunni
- Dumnonii, and a smaller group called Cornovii
- Durotriges
- Regnenses
- Trinovantes
- Iceni
Tribes in Middle Britain
Tribes in Northern Britain
- Brigantes
- Caledonii
- Caereni
- Carnonacae
- Corionototae
- Creones
- Damnonii
- Decantae
- Epidii
- Lopocares
- Lugi
- Novantae
- Selgovae
- Smertae
- Setantii
- Taexali
- Textoverdi
- Vacomagi
- Venicones
- Votadini
Tribes in Western Britain
Other Tribes (Location Unknown)
- Ancalites
- Attacotti
- Bibroci
- Cassi
- Cenimagni (possibly another name for the Iceni)
- Pretanoi (might refer to all Britons or just one tribe)
- Segontiaci
Images for kids
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The main Iron Age tribes in Southern Britain
See also
