Level 3 - Life in late Iron Age Sussex

People & Politics

The structure of Society

In the 1st century BC, many of the local tribal units within south-eastern Britain were starting to amalgamate into larger political confederations. By this point a class system was developing, and roles in society became more specialised. However, our understanding of this complex social system in southern Britain is largely incomplete. There were a number of powerful tribal rulers who were probably part of an elite group, comprising sub-chieftains and religious specialists (Druids). According to Caesar, these were differentiated from the lower classes, but there existed an intricate system of clientage, whereby men would provides services in return for protection. This social hierarchy relied in part upon the exchange of gifts such as gold or silver coins between the nobles or kings and their followers.

Chichester Cock Coin

Kings of the Southern realms

The earliest recorded individual in southern Britain was Cassivelaunus, who emerged from the disparate tribal units to lead some opposition against Caesar's two military expeditions to Britain in 55 and 54 BC. However, it is clear that his command over the tribes did not last long, as it was restricted to this period of high stress.

In 51 BC, a Gallic noble called Commius fled to Britain after taking part in a rebellion against the Romans at Alesia in Gaul. He landed in central southern Britain, within a region said to have been already inhabited some northern Gallic settlers, and established himself as ruler. Commius and his successors then reigned over much of central southern Britain (the Atrebates), and produced a series of inscribed coins, which have been found in plentiful supply across the region.

Coin of Tincomarus

In the later 1st century BC, Tincomarus succeeded Commius in the southern Atrebatic territory, which included much of Sussex, while another individual, whose coins proclaim him as 'king of Calleva' (Silchester), ruled the northern part. A distinct change occurred in the coins of Tincomarus later on in the century, with the Celtic styles giving way to more Roman inspired images, perhaps suggesting that he had deliberately gained the patronage of Rome to bolster his own power. At some time between 10 BC and AD 7, he is recorded as placing himself under the protection of Augustus, implying that his position had become very unstable.
Coin of Verica

At around AD 10, the Atrebates were unified under a man named Verica. He ruled for around 20 to 30 years, but it is clear from the patterns of coin distribution that his territory was decreasing at the expense of that of the Catuvellauni, a large kingdom north of the Thames. It was probably these incursions that led him to flee to the Emperor Claudius for help, and in turn led to Claudius's invasion of Britain in AD 43.