Brother of Togodumnus
Caractacus is the brother of Togodumnus, with whom he shares leadership against the Roman invasion.
Role range: 0040-0051
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Caractacus Biography and Timeline
Follow Caractacus through 31 dated historical records for England.
Caractacus, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
31Distinct records
1 of 1Page
40–51Years on this page
40
Son of Cunobelinus
Caractacus is a son of Cunobelinus, the powerful ruler whose kingdom dominated much of southeastern Britain.
Role range: 0040-0051
Succession
Caractacus succeeds his father Cunobelinus as a leading ruler of the Catuvellauni in southern Britain.
Role range: 0040-0050
41
Pressure on the Atrebates
Caractacus and his allies expand pressure on the Atrebates during the political struggle that precedes the Roman invasion.
Role range: 0040-0051
42
Control of Atrebatic Territory
After Verica is displaced, Caractacus's political influence extends into former Atrebatic territory in southern Britain.
Role range: 0040-0051
Exile of Caractacus
Caractacus and his allies drive Verica of the Atrebates from his kingdom, after which Verica seeks Roman support.
Role range: 0040-0050
43
Battle of the Medway
Caractacus and Togodumnus resist the Roman invasion at the River Medway but are defeated by Aulus Plautius's army.
Role range: 0040-0050
Death of Togodumnus
Caractacus continues resistance after his brother Togodumnus dies during the opening phase of the Roman conquest.
Role range: 0040-0051
Loss of Camulodunum
Roman forces seize Camulodunum, the principal center of Catuvellaunian power, after breaking organized resistance in southeastern Britain.
Role range: 0040-0051
Mobilization against Roman Invasion
Caractacus helps organize tribal resistance when the Roman invasion fleet arrives in Britain in 43.
Role range: 0040-0051
Resistance at the Thames
After the Medway battle, Caractacus's forces continue resisting the Roman advance near the River Thames.
Role range: 0040-0051
Retreat after the Medway
After defeat at the Medway, Caractacus withdraws westward as Roman forces continue their advance across southern Britain.
Role range: 0040-0050
Rome-Britain War
Caractacus and Togodumnus lead British resistance when Claudius sends four legions under Aulus Plautius to invade Britain.
Role range: 0040-0050
44
Retreat into Wales
Caractacus relocates the center of his resistance westward after the Roman conquest of the Catuvellaunian heartland.
Role range: 0040-0051
45
Alliance with the Silures
Caractacus becomes closely associated with the Silures, who continue armed resistance to Roman expansion in Wales.
Role range: 0040-0051
46
Guerrilla Resistance
Caractacus uses difficult western terrain and tribal alliances to continue resistance against Roman forces.
Role range: 0040-0051
47
Opposition to Ostorius
Caractacus remains the most prominent British resistance leader as Ostorius Scapula assumes command in Britain.
Role range: 0040-0051
Western Resistance
Caractacus continues resistance to Roman expansion from western Britain as Ostorius Scapula begins his governorship.
Role range: 0040-0050
48
Rome-Britain War
Caractacus leads resistance among western British tribes, particularly the Silures and later the Ordovices, against Roman occupation.
Role range: 0040-0050
Silurian Campaign
Caractacus supports continued Silurian resistance as Roman armies push deeper into western Britain.
Role range: 0040-0051
49
Resistance beyond the Severn
Caractacus's resistance continues beyond the Severn as Roman bases and settlements expand westward.
Role range: 0040-0051
50
Alliance with the Ordovices
Caractacus gains support among the Ordovices as Roman pressure intensifies in central Wales.
Role range: 0040-0051
51
Life Spared after Capture
Caractacus survives his defeat and capture because Claudius grants clemency to him and members of his family.
Role range: 0040-0051
Appearance before Claudius
After being captured, Caractacus is taken to Rome, where his speech before Claudius contributes to the decision to spare him.
Role range: 0040-0050
Clemency in Rome
Claudius grants Caractacus and members of his family clemency after they are displayed before the imperial court in Rome.
Role range: 0040-0050
Defeat by Ostorius Scapula
Ostorius Scapula defeats Caractacus's army in a major battle in Wales in 51.
Role range: 0040-0051
Family Captured
Roman forces capture Caractacus's wife and daughter after his final defeat, while his brothers also fall into Roman hands.
Role range: 0040-0051
Final Defensive Position
Caractacus selects a strongly defended position in Ordovician territory for his final major battle against Ostorius Scapula.
Role range: 0040-0051
Flight to the Brigantes
After his final military defeat, Caractacus flees to the Brigantes seeking protection from Queen Cartimandua.
Role range: 0040-0050
Surrender by Cartimandua
Queen Cartimandua of the Brigantes hands Caractacus over to Roman authorities after he seeks refuge in her territory.
Role range: 0040-0050
Transfer to Roman Custody
After Cartimandua surrenders him, Caractacus is transferred to Roman custody for transportation to Rome.
Role range: 0040-0051
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.