Editing Cartimandua (section)

=== Venutius divorce and conflict ===

Cartimandua later divorced Venutius, taking his armour-bearer, [[Vellocatus]], as her consort. In 57, although Cartimandua had seized his brother and other relatives and held them hostage, Venutius made war against her and then against her Roman protectors. He built alliances outside the Brigantes, and during the governorship of [[Aulus Didius Gallus]] (52–57) he staged an invasion of the kingdom of the Brigantes. The Romans had anticipated this and sent some [[Cohort (military unit)|cohorts]] to defend their client queen. The fighting was inconclusive until [[Caesius Nasica]] arrived with a [[Roman legion|legion]], the ''[[Legio IX Hispana|IX Hispana]]'', and defeated the rebels. Cartimandua retained her throne thanks to prompt military support from Roman forces.<ref name="a12.40">Tacitus, ''Annals'' [[s:The Annals (Tacitus)/Book 12#40|12.40]]</ref>

Tacitus wrote:

<blockquote>''"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."''<ref name="m586">{{cite web | title=The story of Cartimandua as relayed by Tacitus | website=Welcome to the University of Warwick | date=August 13, 2021 | url=https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/classics/warwickclassicsnetwork/romancoventry/resources/interactions/civitates/cartimandua/tacitus/ | access-date=July 8, 2024}}</ref></blockquote>

Tacitus refers to Cartimandua's leaving her consort for Vellocatus as scandalous. He also discusses how Venutius rallies against her, but fails after she secures aid from the Romans.

Cartimandua was not so successful in the year 69. Taking advantage of Roman instability during the [[year of four emperors]], Venutius staged another revolt, again with help from other nations. Cartimandua appealed for troops from the Romans, who were only able to send [[auxiliaries (Roman military)|auxiliaries]]. Cartimandua was evacuated, leaving Venutius in control of a kingdom at war with Rome.<ref name="h3.45" /> After this, Cartimandua disappears from the sources.