Information about Commius
Commius (Commios, Comius, Comnios) was a historical king of the Belgic nation of the Atrebates, initially in Gaul, then in Britain, in the 1st century BC.
However this loyalty was not to last, as related by Aulus Hirtius in the final book of the De Bello Gallico, written after Caesar's death. While Caesar was in Cisalpine Gaul in the winter of 53, the legate Titus Labienus discovered that Commius had been conspiring against the Romans with other Gaulish tribes. Labienus sent a tribune, Gaius Volusenus, and some centurions to summon Commius to a sham meeting at which they would execute him for his treachery, but Commius escaped with a severe head wound. He vowed never again to associate with Romans.[7]
In 51 BC he returned to his homeland with a small mounted war-band for a campaign of agitation and guerrilla warfare. That winter Mark Antony, a legionary legate at the time, ordered Volusenus to pursue him with cavalry, something Volusenus was more than happy to do. When the two groups of horsemen met Volusenus was victorious, but sustained a spear-wound to the thigh. Commius escaped and sued for peace through intermediaries. He offered hostages and promised he would live where he was told and no longer resist Caesar, on the condition that he never again had to meet a Roman. Antony granted his petition.[10]
A 1st century AD source, Sextus Julius Frontinus's Strategemata, tells how Commius fled to Britain with a group of followers with Caesar in pursuit. When he reached the English Channel the wind was in his favour but the tide was out, leaving the ships stranded on the flats. Commius ordered the sails raised anyway. Caesar, following from a distance, assumed they were afloat and called off the pursuit.[11]
This suggests that the truce negotiated with Antony broke down and hostilities resumed between Commius and Caesar. However John Creighton suggests that Commius was sent to Britain as a condition of his truce with Antony - where better to ensure that he never again met a Roman? - and that Frontinus's anecdote either refers to an escape prior to the truce, or is historically unreliable, perhaps a legend Frontinus heard while governor of Britain (75 to 78 AD). Creighton argues that Commius was in fact set up as a friendly king in Britain by Caesar, and his reputation was rehabilitated by blaming his betrayal on Labienus (who deserted Caesar for Pompey in the civil war of 49 - 45 BC).[12]
Commius's name appears on coins of post-conquest date in Gaul, paired with either Garmanos or Carsicios. This suggests he continued to have some power in Gaul in his absence, perhaps ruling through regents. Alternatively, Garmanos and Carsicios may have been Commius's sons who noted their father's name on their own coins.<ref name="creighton" />
Three later kings, Tincomarus, Eppillus and Verica, are named on their coins as sons of Commius. From about 25 BC Commius appears to have ruled in collaboration with Tincomarus. After his death Tincomarus appears to have ruled the northern part of the kingdom from Calleva, while Eppillus ruled the southern part from Noviomagus (Chichester). Eppillus became sole ruler ca. AD 7. Verica succeeded him about 15, and ruled until shortly before the Roman conquest of 43.[14]
..... Click the link for more information.
Tribune (from the Latin: tribunus; Greek form tribounos) was a title shared by 2–3 elected magistracies and other governmental and/or (para)military offices of the Roman Republic
..... Click the link for more information.
Ally of Caesar
When Julius Caesar conquered the Atrebates in Gaul in 57 BC,[1] as recounted in his Commentarii de Bello Gallico, he appointed Commius as king of the tribe. Before Caesar's first expedition to Britain in 55 BC, Commius was sent as Caesar's envoy to persuade the Britons not to resist him, as Caesar believed he would have influence on the island.[2] However he was arrested as soon as he arrived. When the Britons failed to prevent Caesar from landing, Commius was handed over as part of the negotiations.[3] Commius was able to provide a small detachment of cavalry from his tribe to help Caesar defeat further British attacks.[4] During Caesar's second expedition to Britain Commius negotiated the surrender of the British leader Cassivellaunus.[5] He remained Caesar's loyal client through the Gaulish revolts of 54 BC, and in return Caesar allowed the Atrebates to remain independent and exempt from tax, and in addition appointed Commius to rule the Morini.[6]However this loyalty was not to last, as related by Aulus Hirtius in the final book of the De Bello Gallico, written after Caesar's death. While Caesar was in Cisalpine Gaul in the winter of 53, the legate Titus Labienus discovered that Commius had been conspiring against the Romans with other Gaulish tribes. Labienus sent a tribune, Gaius Volusenus, and some centurions to summon Commius to a sham meeting at which they would execute him for his treachery, but Commius escaped with a severe head wound. He vowed never again to associate with Romans.[7]
Enemy of Caesar
In 52 BC the Atrebates joined the pan-Gaulish revolt led by Vercingetorix, and Commius was one of the leaders of the army that attempted to relieve Vercingetorix at the Siege of Alesia.[8] After Vercingetorix was defeated Commius joined a revolt by the Bellovaci and persuaded some 500 Germans to support them, but this too was defeated and Commius sought refuge with his German allies.[9]In 51 BC he returned to his homeland with a small mounted war-band for a campaign of agitation and guerrilla warfare. That winter Mark Antony, a legionary legate at the time, ordered Volusenus to pursue him with cavalry, something Volusenus was more than happy to do. When the two groups of horsemen met Volusenus was victorious, but sustained a spear-wound to the thigh. Commius escaped and sued for peace through intermediaries. He offered hostages and promised he would live where he was told and no longer resist Caesar, on the condition that he never again had to meet a Roman. Antony granted his petition.[10]
A 1st century AD source, Sextus Julius Frontinus's Strategemata, tells how Commius fled to Britain with a group of followers with Caesar in pursuit. When he reached the English Channel the wind was in his favour but the tide was out, leaving the ships stranded on the flats. Commius ordered the sails raised anyway. Caesar, following from a distance, assumed they were afloat and called off the pursuit.[11]
This suggests that the truce negotiated with Antony broke down and hostilities resumed between Commius and Caesar. However John Creighton suggests that Commius was sent to Britain as a condition of his truce with Antony - where better to ensure that he never again met a Roman? - and that Frontinus's anecdote either refers to an escape prior to the truce, or is historically unreliable, perhaps a legend Frontinus heard while governor of Britain (75 to 78 AD). Creighton argues that Commius was in fact set up as a friendly king in Britain by Caesar, and his reputation was rehabilitated by blaming his betrayal on Labienus (who deserted Caesar for Pompey in the civil war of 49 - 45 BC).[12]
Commius's name appears on coins of post-conquest date in Gaul, paired with either Garmanos or Carsicios. This suggests he continued to have some power in Gaul in his absence, perhaps ruling through regents. Alternatively, Garmanos and Carsicios may have been Commius's sons who noted their father's name on their own coins.<ref name="creighton" />
King in Britain
By about 30 BC Commius had established himself as king of the Atrebates in Britain, and was issuing coins from Calleva Atrebatum (Silchester). It is possible that Commius and his followers founded this kingdom, although the fact that, when Caesar was unable to bring his cavalry to Britain in 55 BC, Commius was able to provide a small detachment of horsemen from his people, suggests that there were already Atrebates in Britain at this time. Coins marked with his name continued to be issued until about 20 BC, and some have suggested, based on the length of his floruit, that there may have been two kings, father and son, of the same name. However, if Commius was a young man when appointed by Caesar he could very well have lived until 20 BC. Some coins of this period are stamped "COM COMMIOS", which, interpreted as "Commius son of Commius", seem to support the two kings theory.[13]Three later kings, Tincomarus, Eppillus and Verica, are named on their coins as sons of Commius. From about 25 BC Commius appears to have ruled in collaboration with Tincomarus. After his death Tincomarus appears to have ruled the northern part of the kingdom from Calleva, while Eppillus ruled the southern part from Noviomagus (Chichester). Eppillus became sole ruler ca. AD 7. Verica succeeded him about 15, and ruled until shortly before the Roman conquest of 43.[14]
Popular culture
Commius is a character appearing in the 2001 French movie Vercingétorix.References
1. ^ Julius Caesar, Commentarii de Bello Gallico
2. ^ Caesar, De Bello Gallico
3. ^ Caesar, De Bello Gallico
4. ^ Caesar, De Bello Gallico
5. ^ Caesar, De Bello Gallico
6. ^ Caesar, De Bello Gallico ,
7. ^ Caesar, De Bello Gallico
8. ^ Caesar, De Bello Gallico , ; Cassius Dio, Roman History 40:42
9. ^ Caesar, De Bello Gallico , ,
10. ^ Caesar, De Bello Gallico
11. ^ Sextus Julius Frontinus, Stratagemata 2:13.11
12. ^ John Creighton, Coins and power in Late Iron Age Britain, Cambridge University Press, 2000
13. ^ Commius and the Atrebates at Roman-Britain.org
14. ^ John Creighton, Coins and power in Late Iron Age Britain, Cambridge University Press, 2000; Philip de Jersey (1996), Celtic Coinage in Britain, Shire Archaeology, 1996; Sheppard Frere, Britannia: a History of Roman Britain, third edition, 1987
2. ^ Caesar, De Bello Gallico
3. ^ Caesar, De Bello Gallico
4. ^ Caesar, De Bello Gallico
5. ^ Caesar, De Bello Gallico
6. ^ Caesar, De Bello Gallico ,
7. ^ Caesar, De Bello Gallico
8. ^ Caesar, De Bello Gallico , ; Cassius Dio, Roman History 40:42
9. ^ Caesar, De Bello Gallico , ,
10. ^ Caesar, De Bello Gallico
11. ^ Sextus Julius Frontinus, Stratagemata 2:13.11
12. ^ John Creighton, Coins and power in Late Iron Age Britain, Cambridge University Press, 2000
13. ^ Commius and the Atrebates at Roman-Britain.org
14. ^ John Creighton, Coins and power in Late Iron Age Britain, Cambridge University Press, 2000; Philip de Jersey (1996), Celtic Coinage in Britain, Shire Archaeology, 1996; Sheppard Frere, Britannia: a History of Roman Britain, third edition, 1987
The Belgae were a group of nations or tribes living in northern Gaul, on the west bank of the Rhine, in the 1st century BC, and later also attested in Britain. They gave their name to the Roman province of Gallia Belgica, and later, to the modern country of Belgium, where they are
..... Click the link for more information.
..... Click the link for more information.
The Atrebates (singular Atrebas, meaning "settlers") were a Belgic tribe of Gaul and Britain before the Roman conquests.
..... Click the link for more information.
The Atrebates in Gaul
The Gaulish Atrebates lived in or around modern Artois in northern France...... Click the link for more information.
Gaul (Latin: Gallia) was the name given, in ancient times, to the region of Western Europe comprising present-day northern Italy, France, Belgium, western Switzerland and the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the west bank of
..... Click the link for more information.
..... Click the link for more information.
Preface
..... Click the link for more information.
The 1st century BC started the first day of 100 BC and ended the last day of 1 BC. It is considered part of the Classical era, epoch, or historical period. An alternative name for this century is the last century BC.
..... Click the link for more information.
..... Click the link for more information.
Gaius Julius Caesar
Dictator of the Roman Republic
Reign October, 49 BC–March 15, 44 BC
Full name Gaius Julius Caesar
Born 12 July 100 BC - 102 BC
Rome, Roman Republic
Died 15 March 44 BC (aged 57)
..... Click the link for more information.
Dictator of the Roman Republic
Reign October, 49 BC–March 15, 44 BC
Full name Gaius Julius Caesar
Born 12 July 100 BC - 102 BC
Rome, Roman Republic
Died 15 March 44 BC (aged 57)
..... Click the link for more information.
1st century BC - 1st century
80s BC 70s BC 60s BC - 50s BC - 40s BC 30s BC 20s BC
60 BC 59 BC 58 BC - 57 BC - 56 BC 55 BC 54 BC
Politics
State leaders - Sovereign states
Birth and death categories
-
..... Click the link for more information.
80s BC 70s BC 60s BC - 50s BC - 40s BC 30s BC 20s BC
60 BC 59 BC 58 BC - 57 BC - 56 BC 55 BC 54 BC
Politics
State leaders - Sovereign states
Birth and death categories
-
..... Click the link for more information.
Commentarii de Bello Gallico
(Commentaries on the Gallic Wars)
An 18th century edition of Commentarii de Bello Gallico
Author Julius Caesar, Aulus Hirtius(VIII)
Language Classical Latin
Subject(s)
..... Click the link for more information.
(Commentaries on the Gallic Wars)
An 18th century edition of Commentarii de Bello Gallico
Author Julius Caesar, Aulus Hirtius(VIII)
Language Classical Latin
Subject(s)
..... Click the link for more information.
1st century BC - 1st century
80s BC 70s BC 60s BC - 50s BC - 40s BC 30s BC 20s BC
58 BC 57 BC 56 BC - 55 BC - 54 BC 53 BC 52 BC
Politics
State leaders - Sovereign states
Birth and death categories
-
..... Click the link for more information.
80s BC 70s BC 60s BC - 50s BC - 40s BC 30s BC 20s BC
58 BC 57 BC 56 BC - 55 BC - 54 BC 53 BC 52 BC
Politics
State leaders - Sovereign states
Birth and death categories
-
..... Click the link for more information.
Cassivellaunus was a historical British chieftain who led the defence against Julius Caesar's second expedition to Britain in 54 BC. He also appears in British legend as Cassibelanus
..... Click the link for more information.
..... Click the link for more information.
The Roman client kingdoms in Britain were native tribes who chose to align themselves with the Roman Empire because they saw it as the best option for self-preservation or for protection from other hostile tribes.
..... Click the link for more information.
..... Click the link for more information.
1st century BC - 1st century
80s BC 70s BC 60s BC - 50s BC - 40s BC 30s BC 20s BC
57 BC 56 BC 55 BC - 54 BC - 53 BC 52 BC 51 BC
Politics
State leaders - Sovereign states
Birth and death categories
-
..... Click the link for more information.
80s BC 70s BC 60s BC - 50s BC - 40s BC 30s BC 20s BC
57 BC 56 BC 55 BC - 54 BC - 53 BC 52 BC 51 BC
Politics
State leaders - Sovereign states
Birth and death categories
-
..... Click the link for more information.
The Morini were a Belgic tribe in the time of the Roman Empire. We know little about their language but one of their cities, Boulogne-sur-Mer was called Bononia by Zosimus and Bonen in the Middle Ages.
..... Click the link for more information.
..... Click the link for more information.
Aulus Hirtius (ca. 90-43 BC) was one of the consuls of ancient Rome immediately after the assassination of Julius Caesar, and a writer on military subjects.
He was known to have been a legate of Caesar's since about 54 BC, and served as an envoy to Pompey in 50.
..... Click the link for more information.
He was known to have been a legate of Caesar's since about 54 BC, and served as an envoy to Pompey in 50.
..... Click the link for more information.
Cisalpine Gaul (Latin: Gallia Cisalpina, meaning "Gaul on this side of the Alps") was the Roman name for a geographical area (later a province of the Roman Republic), in the territory of modern-day northern Italy (including Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Liguria,
..... Click the link for more information.
..... Click the link for more information.
1st century BC - 1st century - 2nd century
20s 30s 40s - 50s - 60s 70s 80s
50 51 52 - 53 - 54 55 56
..... Click the link for more information.
20s 30s 40s - 50s - 60s 70s 80s
50 51 52 - 53 - 54 55 56
This article is about the year 53. For other uses, see 53 (number).
..... Click the link for more information.
legatus (often anglicized as legate) was a general in the Roman army, equivalent to a modern general officer. Being of senatorial rank, his immediate superior was the dux, and he outranked all military tribunes.
..... Click the link for more information.
..... Click the link for more information.
Titus Labienus (ca. 100 BC–March 17, 45 BC) was a professional Roman soldier in the late Roman Republic. He served as Tribune of the Plebs in 63 BC, and is remembered as one of Julius Caesar's lieutenants, mentioned frequently in the accounts of his military campaigns.
..... Click the link for more information.
..... Click the link for more information.
For other uses, see Tribune (disambiguation).
Tribune (from the Latin: tribunus; Greek form tribounos) was a title shared by 2–3 elected magistracies and other governmental and/or (para)military offices of the Roman Republic
..... Click the link for more information.
Gaius Volusenus Quadratus was a Roman military officer and ally of Julius Caesar.
During the Gallic War he served as Tribunus Militum in the 12th Legion under the legate Servius Galba, and distinguished himself in battle when Galba was defeated by the Nantuates in
..... Click the link for more information.
During the Gallic War he served as Tribunus Militum in the 12th Legion under the legate Servius Galba, and distinguished himself in battle when Galba was defeated by the Nantuates in
..... Click the link for more information.
centurion (Latin: centuriō; Greek: hekatontarchos) was a professional officer of the Roman army after the Marian reforms of 107 BC. Most centurions commanded a century (centuria
..... Click the link for more information.
..... Click the link for more information.
1st century BC - 1st century
80s BC 70s BC 60s BC - 50s BC - 40s BC 30s BC 20s BC
55 BC 54 BC 53 BC - 52 BC - 51 BC 50 BC 49 BC
Politics
State leaders - Sovereign states
Birth and death categories
-
..... Click the link for more information.
80s BC 70s BC 60s BC - 50s BC - 40s BC 30s BC 20s BC
55 BC 54 BC 53 BC - 52 BC - 51 BC 50 BC 49 BC
Politics
State leaders - Sovereign states
Birth and death categories
-
..... Click the link for more information.
Vercingetorix (pronounced [werkiŋˈgetoriks] (died 46 BC), was chieftain of the Arverni, originating from the Arvernian city of Gergovia and known as the man who led the Gauls in their ultimately unsuccessful war
..... Click the link for more information.
..... Click the link for more information.
Battle of Alesia or Siege of Alesia took place in September 52 BC around the Gallic oppidum of Alesia, a major town centre and hill fort of the Mandubii tribe.
..... Click the link for more information.
..... Click the link for more information.
Bellovaci were among the most powerful and numerous of the Belgic tribes of north-eastern Gaul conquered by Julius Caesar in 57 BC. The name survives today in the French city of Beauvais, called by the Romans Caesaromagus.
..... Click the link for more information.
..... Click the link for more information.
1st century BC - 1st century
80s BC 70s BC 60s BC - 50s BC - 40s BC 30s BC 20s BC
54 BC 53 BC 52 BC - 51 BC - 50 BC 49 BC 48 BC
Politics
State leaders - Sovereign states
Birth and death categories
-
..... Click the link for more information.
80s BC 70s BC 60s BC - 50s BC - 40s BC 30s BC 20s BC
54 BC 53 BC 52 BC - 51 BC - 50 BC 49 BC 48 BC
Politics
State leaders - Sovereign states
Birth and death categories
-
..... Click the link for more information.
Guerrilla warfare (also guerilla) is the unconventional warfare and combat with which small group combatants (usually civilians) use mobile tactics (ambushes, raids, etc) to combat a larger, less mobile formal army.
..... Click the link for more information.
..... Click the link for more information.
Marcus Antonius (Latin: M·ANTONIVS·M·F·M·N [1]) (c. January 14, 83 BC – August 1, 30 BC), known in English as Mark Antony, was a Roman politician and general.
..... Click the link for more information.
..... Click the link for more information.
The 1st century was that century that lasted from 1 to 100 according the Gregorian calendar. It is considered part of the Classical era, epoch, or historical period
..... Click the link for more information.
..... Click the link for more information.
Sextus Julius Frontinus (ca. 40-103) was a Roman soldier, politician, engineer and author.
In 70 he was praetor, and five years later was sent into Britain to succeed Quintus Petillius Cerialis as governor of that island.
..... Click the link for more information.
In 70 he was praetor, and five years later was sent into Britain to succeed Quintus Petillius Cerialis as governor of that island.
..... Click the link for more information.
This article is copied from an article on Wikipedia.org - the free encyclopedia created and edited by online user community. The text was not checked or edited by anyone on our staff. Although the vast majority of the wikipedia encyclopedia articles provide accurate and timely information please do not assume the accuracy of any particular article. This article is distributed under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License.
Herod_Archelaus
