The Histories Book 3. 45. Inspired by these differences between the Roman forces and by the many rumours of civil war that reached them, the Britons plucked up courage under the leadership of Venutius, who, in addition to his natural spirit and hatred of the Roman name, was fired by his personal resentment toward Queen [his future wife] Cartimandua [aged 8]. She was ruler over the Brigantes, having the influence that belongs to high birth, and she had later strengthened her power when she was credited with having captured King Caratacus [aged 41] by treachery and so furnished an adornment for the triumph of Claudius Caesar.20 From this came her wealth and the wanton spirit which success breeds. She grew to despise her husband Venutius, and took as her consort his squire Vellocatus, whom she admitted to share the throne with her. Her house was at once shaken by this scandalous act. Her husband was favoured by the sentiments of all the citizens; the adulterer was supported by the queen's passion for him and by her savage spirit. So Venutius, calling in aid from outside and at the same time assisted by a revolt of the Brigantes themselves, put Cartimandua into an extremely dangerous position. Then she asked the Romans for protection, and in fact some companies of our foot and horse, after meeting with indifferent success in a number of engagements, finally succeeded in rescuing the queen from danger. The throne was left to Venutius; the war to us.
Note 20. Celebrated in 51 A.D. See Tac. Ann. XII. 33‑37; CIL VI.920.
After 51AD Vellocatus and Queen Cartimandua of the Brigantes [aged 8] were married.
Before 69 King Venutius of the Brigantes and [his wife] Queen Cartimandua of the Brigantes [aged 25] were married.
Around 69 [his wife] Queen Cartimandua of the Brigantes [aged 26] died.
Time Team Series 1 Episode 2: On the Edge of an Empire was filmed between 3rd September 1993 and 5th September 1993. It was originally shown on 23rd January 1994.
Location: Ribchester Roman Fort, Lancashire [Map].
Category: Time Team Roman and Iron Age.
Time Team:
Tony Robinson [aged 47], Presenter
Mick Aston [aged 47], Bristol University Landscape Archaeologist
Carenza Lewis [aged 30], Royal Commission on Historic Monuments
Phil Harding [aged 43], Wessex Archaeological Trust Field Archaeologist
Robin Bush [aged 50], Archivist
Victor Ambrus [aged 58], Historical Illustrator
John Gator, Chris Gaffney, Geophysics
Adrian Olivier, Lancaster University Archaeology Unit
Ermine Street Guard
Techniques: Excavation, Resistivity, Magnetometry
Sources: Publius (or Flavius) Vegetius Renatus' "De re militari"
Historical Figures: Brigantes, [his former wife] Queen Cartimandua, King Caractacus of the Silures, King Venutius of the Brigantes, Vellocatus.
Events:
Outcomes: Broken Roman Quern, Decorated Samian Ware, Punic Ditch, plans of Wooden and Stone Forts, location of bathhouse.