ROMAN SUCCESS - THE CAPTURE OF CARADOG

Between 47 - 60 AD Rome achieved many of its strategic objectives in Wales. Following defeat in A.D.43. Caratacus (Caradog) the Catuvellaunian leader had emerged as leader of the Ordovices. He was defeated, possibly in the Caersws area in A.D 51, and his wife and daughter were captured. Caratacus himself escaped to the land of the Brigantes, but was handed over to the Romans by their Queen Caritmandua and subsequently sent to Rome.

He and his family were displayed in front of the barracks of the praetorian guard in Rome. Following a speech of epic proportions the emperor Claudius spared his life and those of his family.

A century earlier Vercingetorix the leader of the Gallic revolt of 52 B.C. experienced no such clemency. At the end of Caesar's formal triumph through Rome, he was ritually executed.

CARADOG AND THE RESISTANCE TO ROME

'... Then (Publius Ostorius) ... marched against the Silures, a people ... rendered confident by the valour of Caractacus, whom his ... many victories had raised to a pre-eminence over all other generals of the Britons. But, though possessing an advantage in the dangerous nature of the localities, yet, as he was inferior in the number of his troops, he cunningly transferred the seat of war to the territory of the Ordovicians, where ... he resolved to put all to the hazard of a battle. For this ... he chose a place against which it was difficult to advance, and from which it was difficlult to retreat ...

Ostorius seizing the auspicious moment, having carefully surveyed the situation, where inaccessible, and where to be passed, led them on ... Glorious was the victory gained that day : the wife and daughter of Caractacus were taken prisoners, his brothers also surrendered at discretion . ...

Caractacus himself sought the protection of Cartismandua, queen of the Brigantes, but ... he was delivered up in chains to the conquerors, in the ninth year after the commencement of the war in Britain. Whence his renown ... became celebrated even in Italy ; where all longed to behold the man, who for so many years, had defied the Roman arms ... (T)he people were summoned to see him ... (F)irst the servants and followers of the British king moved in procession, and the trappings and collars, and all he had taken in wars with his neighbours, were borne along ; next came his brothers, his wife and daughter ; and last himself, attracting the gaze of all. ...Caractacus ... as soon as he was placed before the imperial tribunal, thus spoke :

' If my moderation in prosperity had been as great as my lineage was noble, and my success brilliant, I should have entered this city as a friend, rather than as a captive ; nor would you then have disdained to receive a prince descended from illustrious ancestors, and the ruler of many nations, into the terms of alliance. My present lot, as it is to me ignominious and degrading, so is it a matter of glory and triumph to you. I had men and arms, horses and riches ; where is the wonder if I was unwilling to part with them? If you Romans aim at extending your dominion over all mankind, it does not follow that all men should take the yoke upon them. ... If you inflict punishment upon me, the affair will sink into oblivion ; but if you preserve my life, I shall form an imperishable record of your clemency.'' Claudius upon this pardoned him, with his wife, and his brothers...'

The Annals of Tacitus XIV 29-30.