The History of the Britons (historía Priteni)

[americancaesar]

Antiquity@E-Books
Presented by Professor Elias Wallis and Utopia University
January, 2007

The History of the Britons (historía Priteni)
By Aristophanes of Byzantium

An Introduction

The Author. Aristophanes (Ἀριστοφάνης) of Byzantium was a Greek scholar, critic and grammarian, particularly renowned for his work in Homeric scholarship, but also for work on other classical authors such as Pindar and Hesiod. Born in Byzantium about 257 BC, he soon moved to Alexandria and studied under Zenodotus and Callimachus. He succeeded Eratosthenes as head librarian of the Library of Alexandria at the age of sixty.

Aristophanes chiefly devoted himself to the poets, especially Homer, who had already been edited by his master Zenodotus. He also edited Hesiod, the chief lyric, tragic and comic poets, arranged Plato's dialogues in trilogies, and abridged Aristotle's Nature of Animals. His arguments to the plays of Aristophanes and the tragedians are in great part preserved. His works on Athenian courtesans, masks and proverbs were the results of his study of Attic comedy. He further commented on the Ilivakes of Callimachus, a sort of history of Greek literature. As a lexicographer, Aristophanes compiled collections of foreign and unusual words and expressions, and special lists (words denoting relationship, modes of address). As a grammarian, he founded a scientific school, and in his Analogy systematically explained the various forms. He introduced critical signs - except the obelus; punctuation prosodiacal, and accentual marks were probably already in use. The foundation of the so-called Alexandrian "canon" was also due to his impulse.

This exceptional scholar of the Hellenistic period would have been well remembered for these achievements alone, but at the age of thirty he would receive an invitation that would add him to the ranks of the great historians of antiquity.

The Britons and the Epistle of Adnus. In the summer of 228, twelve men “dressed in utmost barbaric finery” arrived in Alexandria. After delivering gifts to Pharaoh Ptolomy III Euergetes, they requested on behalf of their master, Adnu, a Prince of the Casse, to go to the Great Library and select among the scholars for those willing to return to the West with them. The Prince had, in fact, written a letter in Greek as an open invitation to such men, in particular Aristophanes:

Greetings unto the learned men of Alexandria,

We, a humble Prince of the British race, do entreat you and the famed grammarian Aristophanes especially to come unto our city at Avaricum (which is in the midst of country of Gaul). Our race has built up a great realm in the matter of a few decades and it now engaged here in Gaul, bringing strength and peace to all the nations that border on the mighty Ocean. Yet, we have no writings of our own, but leave this knowledge in the heads of our learned priests. This we find desirable in one hand and dangerous in the other. Further, we are becoming learned in Greek and wish to extend this to the people, along with the writing down finally of the great achievements of our people from the Divine Caradog and Barae to our own present war against the free Gauls.

Any man that comes unto us shall receive payment yearly of a talent and if they decide to stay, a place in the court of ourselves or our High King at Camulosade in the Isles.

Good Health and the Blessing of the Gods be with you,
Adnus, Prince of the Casse and general of her armies in Gaul

Though Ptolemy III was somewhat displeased to lose any of his scholars, he finally allowed twenty, Aristophanes among them, to leave with the promise that they would return in ten years. The scholars left in three British ships, sailing first to Crete, then Sicily, and finally making landfall at Massalía (recently annexed by the Romans) in the later part of the year. From there, the party made its away overland to Avaricum, surprisingly unharmed even as Gaul was at the time the center of wars between five different powers.

The World in 227 and the Journey of Aristophanes to Avaricum (black line)

The World at the Beginning of the History. Aristophanes began writing his work at a pivotal moment in world history, which, thanks to him, can be seen in full detail by events in both the West and the East. There, Ptolemy III Euergetes, despite the loss of Asia Minor, gathered allies in a final push against a shaken Seleucid kingdom. Egyptian armies swept through Syria while the Bactrians and their Parthian allies marched through Persia, soon laying siege to Babylon and Seleucia. The Pontiac kingdom, not wanting to “miss the bus,” joined the deluge, cutting off Seleucid forces in Asia Minor from the rest of the empire.

In Hellas, Epirus and Macedon continued their protracted struggle, even though the Macedonians had lost their homeland and their realm was divided between the northern “Thracian” and the southern “Greek” dominions. For their part, the Getai took advantage of the war, switching every decade between warring against the Epiroites and the Macedonians (at this time they were invading Macedonian Thrace).

In the central Mediterranean, Rome and Carthage remained allies in the face of the renewed power of Epirus. Thus, they renewed their ancient treaty of alliance (dating from c. 509) and clearly divided the West between themselves; Italy and Gaul would be Roman while Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, and Spain were confirmed as Carthaginian. All other claims were dropped for the sake of “peace and brotherhood.” This also allow the Roman Senate, prodded by the Cornelii, to push north into modern day Switzerland and also into Transalpine Gaul in order to eliminate the ever present “Gallic threat.”

The British part in this mosaic will be well covered by Aristophanes, but it suffices to say that by the 230's they had burst upon the world stage. The Casse (“handsome ones”) were a Belgae tribe pushed off the continent in the previous century by the Aedui. Under the leadership of Caradog (337 – 272) and his son Barae (296 – 235), the Casse solidified their rule in the southeast, and then in several bloody wars subdued their opposition until all the British isles were conquered (c. 238). It was at this point that Britons turned their eyes back to their homeland on the continent. The Aedui and Arverni continued their internecine conflict, both choosing to ignore the encroaching armies of Rome and the Suebi in favor of their struggle for hegemony. The rest of the states of Gaul were independent, but this made them all the more easy picking for foreign powers, as the annexation of Massalia showed. The Britons decided to strike first, having a great surplus of manpower and money, beginning with a reconquest of their homelands in the Low Countries.

Notes. For the sake of providing the reader with a better understanding and picture of the events recorded in the History, we have used the famous modification for the strategy game Rome:Total War, Europa Barbarorum. We thank them for allowing us to use their work in order illuminate this chapter of history for the modern reader.

[americancaesar]

I. The Arrival

Having come safely over the Great Sea and the southern lands of the Keltoi, Aristophanes and his fellows were glad to arrive at the city of Avaricum at the beginning of the month of Poseideon. Snow had yet to fall, but the air was breezy and far too cold for men used to the heat of the Sun, as it is close to the Earth in the southern and eastern regions. The city itself was not only a glad sight because of shelter, but also because it was far more than anything a Hellene would expect to seen in these barbaric lands.

The whole place was surrounded with wall of unhewn stones supported with timbers within and without. The battlements atop are built of thick wood and covered with a substance to prevent them from being set afire. Inside, the city was laid out thusly; there was an acropolis at the center with various habitations and inns surrounding it. These houses were well built of mud and timber, many being two-stories high. Upon the acropolis, as in the Hellenic cities of old, stood the temple under the god, the great market (a structure of great size and also two-stories in height), the barracks and armory, and the residence of the ruler.

The twelve gentlemen, had gathered the learned Greeks from Alexandria and guided them unto this land, straight away lead them unto the residence so that their Prince, Adnus, might greet them.

II. The Prince Adnus and his nature

The Prince was then ill with a fever, because of the coldness of the season, yet still rose from his bed to embrace his returning ambassadors and meet the Greeks they had brought with them. He surprised them when he began to speak to them in their own tongue, though it was heavily accented. Adnus said he learned Greek from his maid, comely young woman that had been sold to him by merchants from Massalia. After that, he briefly told the Greeks that there was much work to be done in Gaul and that he would accomplish it. Yet, for so large and great an empire as his people held, it was unfit for the administration of whole provinces to be in the hands of the druids, their priests, instead of the King’s own men. Though he was devout, he did not trust such men, but only those sworn unto himself and the royal house, as the Greeks did become that day, swearing so before the all the gods. With this done, the Prince retreated to his quarters while his servants found a house in the lower city for us to occupy.

Now, this Adnus was the son of the Great King of the Britons, Moug, who was the son of the Great King and conqueror, after his death proclaimed a god, Barae. At the time of the arrival of the Greeks, he was only twenty-two, yet he was a smart and energetic man. Some said he lacked charisma, but his selflessness, good cheer, and loyalty made up for that in good measure. Few at court in Camulosade trumpeted his military prowess, but his soldiers knew that he had not yet been defeated since landing in Gaul and that he conquered the greater part of the land (that which borders upon Ocean) in a matter of months. He also was not bloodthirsty like many of his countrymen, but was even hunted by the thought of putting rebels and brigands to the sword; only out of necessity did he ever do such things. Such was the nobility and virtue of the Prince that brought the learned Hellenes unto the Britons.

[americancaesar]

III. The Veneti

The Veneti, a people of the Keltoi, inhabit the part of Gaul that extends furthest into the Ocean. The name of their land, Aremorica, in fact means “Place by the Sea.” These men build their strongholds on coastal eminences, which are islands when the tide was in and peninsulas when the tide is out. Their most notable city and capital is Darioritum, which lies on the south at the head of a great bay. As a seafaring people, the Veneti build their ships of oak, with large transoms fixed by iron nails of a thumb's thickness, and navigate and power their ships through the use of leather sails. This leaves their ships strong, sturdy, and structurally sound, capable of resisting the winds and waves of the Ocean

Now, because of the swift conquest made by Adnus (along with the peaceful acquiesce of the Aquitani), this nation was the last free left in all of Gaul. Adnus was eager to put an end to this so that he might pursue greater goals, but being that he was not a man found of wanton bloodshed, he sent first an envoy unto the Veneti. This man, called Caratadoc, son of Cunovindos, was a very renowned ambassador. The previous year, he had convinced the Aquitani, a people of Gaul that are like unto the Iberians and ride horses well, to make themselves vassals of the Britons instead of being slaughtered by them. Yet, naturally, he did not only use speeches to accomplish this, but gave the leading men of those tribes about 15 talents to bend their knees to Adnu. This was good enough for the Prince, as it meant one less battle to fight, and he hoped that Caratadoc might accomplish the same with the Veneti.

So this Caratadoc, along with Aristophanes, the hostage Erruki, young son of one of the chief men of the Aquitani called Vortigern by the Britons, and a translator who knew all the tongues of the Kelts, Iberians, Punics, and Hellenes went unto Darioritum to treat with the chief men of the Veneti at the beginning of spring. The city was well built and had over 30 myriads of fighting men to defend it, with the whole country being filled with 70 myriads of people. It was not surprise then that the Veneti were very haughty in their manner to Caratadoc, laughing at his speeches and throwing his money back in his face saying:

We have never been conquered by arms and we shall not be conquered by silver. Tell your Prince to come quickly and test us, for in the end we know it is his virtue that will be found lacking.

Caratadoc grew red in the face and would have caused much trouble if it had not been for Aristophanes, for the Hellene advised him that they should leave before the Veneti declared their lives forfeit, despite the diplomatic nature of their mission. The Gaul calmed himself and agreed, saying no more lest he enrage the chief men of the Veneti.

The Veneti in 227

IV. Vortigern

Caratadoc went unto Lenmonum, capital of the Pictones which Adnus had lately subdued with few losses, and reported the response of the Veneti. Adnus was satisfied that they rejected his merciful option and prepared his men quickly for the new campaign. However it was to be delayed as the summer brought news from the south.

Vortigern, the chief who’s son was Caratadoc’s hostage, rose in rebellion with the soldiers of his household and other gentlemen that hated the idea servitude to the Britons. He led his men toward Burdigala, the capital of the Aquitani and the garrison of British soldiers, thinking to oust them and proclaim him king. At this news, Andus canceled the expedition against the Veneti and marched with all speed south.

Vortigern was slow and overconfident, so Adnus easily over took him before he reached Burdigala. The two armies formed up on a plain beside the road to the city like this; Vortigern’s men formed a rough square with Vortigern and his horsemen on the right flank of it while the Britons made a very good formation which requires some explanation. First or all, the Britons lack cavalry, having at most chariots upon which their generals are carried into battle, not for lacking horses or because horsemanship is unknown to them, but from a mere greater preference to fight on foot. Thus instead of cavalry on the flanks, Adnus always put his slingers there in order to harass the oncoming enemy. For the main body, he arranged it into two lines; the first being spearmen to pin the enemy and the second being his swordsmen. These would rush forward to break apart the enemy and usually force them to flee. Adnus rode behind this with his guard, mounted upon chariot, throwing javelins at the enemy, rushing from point to point, and dismounting to fight at other instances. In this way, the Britons had overcome all their enemies in the Isles and now in Gaul. Vortigern could do nothing against such tactics; his men soon broke and fled with him in the lead of it. He was not killed in the battle but found a few days thereafter, presented to the Prince and beheaded. This was the end of the rebellion among the Aquitani.

[CirdanDharix]

This is simply excellent reading Keep it up!

[americancaesar]

V. Camulosade and the House of Moug

After this, Adnus, as promised, sent Aristophanes and five other Greeks unto the royal court at Camulosade as the cold season came on again. After a three day crossing (as the sea is always very rough in this season), the Hellenes did land on the Isle and proceeded to the seat of the great barbarian empire of the West. This city exceeded still all others they had seen; it held at least 200 myriads as citizens. Its walls were of rough hewn stones supported by timbers, as was common with the cities of the Keltoi, and they ran about 2 stadia roundabout with three main gates with quays astride the river wall. As in other cities, there was an acropolis and a lower town; yet here in the capital, the buildings of the acropolis were of stone and timber, not of mud. Along with the great armory, the royal palace, and the great marketplace, there was a large upright stone in the center which they use as a sundial and calendar. Near to this was the temple of the favorite god of the royal house, Lleu (who name meaning “the shining one”). It was but a large circle of grand stand, but there is a sacrificial altar in the center along with a fire regularly attended by the priests.

When they arrived at the royal palace, they were greeted by the second son of the Great King, Fiddmun. Like his brother, he was a very learned and cosmopolitan man, though he was only 17 years old. He greeted the Greeks warmly and offered to take two, a geographer and a historian, immediately into his service, which they accepted. The Greeks were then brought into the great hall where they supped with the Prince, who said his father the Great king would soon come. This he did and the man presented himself with a visage one would akin to Nestor. He did bid the Greeks to be at ease and sit again, for the Keltoi treat men with respect and do not wish them to grovel in the dust as the Easterners do, lest they do some great evil. It was here that the history of the Britons was recited unto the Greek from the mouth of the Great King.

VI. The Rise of the Britons

About one hundred before this time, the Casse (being the ruling tribe of the Britons) had resided in the northern part of Gaul, bordering upon the Channel between Gaul and the Isles of the Britons. The Aeudi, however, displaced them in a war, forcing them into exile in Britain. When the Casse came to this land, it was not empty, but well inhabited. Among the inhabitant were peoples that they had formerly themselves driven from Gaul. Such is the nature of Fate. So, they made Caradog, a peerless warrior, their king and went to war with the inhabitants. Within twenty years, the southeast of the Isle was firmly in the hands of the Casse and their capital at Camulosade already well established. Yet, when Caradog passed away and his young son Barae was crowned, the enemies of the Casse conspired to drive them out for they said, “Now they had but a beardless boy for a king, we shall destroy them easily.” So began the White war which rage for about ten years; in the end Barae defeated them all, including a final invasion by an army of wild Caledonians. They had laid siege to Camulosade, but Barae sallied forth to fight them and slaughtered the barbarian host to a man. After this, the enemy kings made peace, but Barae knew this could only be temporary, setting on the idea of uniting the Isles under his rule. First he marched north against the Corinati commonwealth and the kingdom of the Brigantines, then west against the Dumnonii, the Silures, and the Ordovices. Though he was deified, the Britons admit that during the latter campaign he was repulsed during an attempt to take the isle called Ynys Môn. They say that this is only because the druids who ruled that isle used strong magic to defeat him. Barae later returned with a greater army and destroy them totally.

A 19th Century depiction of Barae and his men on campaign

Barae stayed along time at Ynys Môn along time after that and left the capital under his son Moug, for the young man was a good governor. Barae learned the arts of the ancient druids that remained there and also wrote poems that remain famous to this day. The only break in this virtual retirement of the great conquer was to campaign against the Caledonians, subduing their entire, barren country before return to Ynys Môn. On a whim, he sent his son-in-law, an untrustworthy, seditious man, to conquer Hibernia (the isle to the west of Britain, quite near unto the coast of Caledonia) and, to the Great King’s surprise, he succeeded. Thus, all the isles of Britain came under the rule of one house and were for the first time made one kingdom.

[Chaotix]

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