Mandubracius facts for kids
Mandubracius was an important king of the Trinovantes, a powerful tribe in ancient south-eastern Britain. He lived around the 1st century BC, a time when the Roman Empire was expanding its power. His story is closely linked to the famous Roman general, Julius Caesar, and his invasions of Britain.
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A King's Story
Mandubracius was the son of Imanuentius, who was also a king of the Trinovantes. Sadly, Imanuentius was overthrown and killed by a strong warlord named Cassivellaunus. This happened before Julius Caesar's second trip to Britain in 54 BC. After his father's death, Mandubracius had to flee for his life. He found safety and protection with Caesar in Gaul (which is modern-day France).
Caesar's Invasion
When Caesar invaded Britain, Cassivellaunus led the British tribes against the Romans. However, the Trinovantes tribe, who were Mandubracius's people, secretly told Caesar where Cassivellaunus's main fort was located. Caesar then surrounded the fort and began to attack it.
Mandubracius Returns to Power
As part of the peace agreement after Cassivellaunus surrendered, Mandubracius was made king of the Trinovantes again. Cassivellaunus also promised not to fight against Mandubracius or his people. This helped bring some peace to the region after the Roman invasion.
Stories from the Past
Later, in the Middle Ages, Mandubracius appeared in old stories and histories. One famous book, Historia Regum Britanniae (written around 1136 by Geoffrey of Monmouth), called him Androgeus. In these stories, Androgeus was the son of a legendary king named Lud.
Androgeus and Caesar
In Geoffrey's tales, Androgeus helped defend Britain against Julius Caesar's invasions. However, a disagreement with his uncle, Cassivellaunus, led Androgeus to ask Caesar for help. He even gave his own son as a hostage to show he was serious. With Androgeus's help, Caesar forced Cassivellaunus to agree to pay tribute to Rome. The stories say that Androgeus eventually left Britain with Caesar and never returned.
Other Names
In some old Welsh stories, Mandubracius was known as Afarwy. He was even called one of the "Three Dishonoured Men of the Island of Britain" for inviting Caesar to invade. This shows how his story changed and grew over many centuries.
