The Eagle's Conquest
Page 38
I have tried to keep the tribal politics of the Britons uncomplicated so as not to slow down the flow of the story. At the time of the Roman invasion of 43 AD the island was riven by shifting alliances, and most tribes regarded the sweeping gains of the Catuvellauni with growing apprehension. Having snapped up the Trinovantes and made the wealthy town of Camulodunum their capital, the Catuvellauni were making great inroads south of the Thames. When the Romans landed, the Catuvellauni had a hard time recruiting their erstwhile tribal foes to the forces resisting Rome. Having little to gain from the victory of either side, most tribes delayed making an alliance until it was clear who would triumph.
In the event Caratacus was beaten once again, and the capital of the natives has fallen to Rome. But the conquest of the island is far from over. Caratacus is still free, whipping up resistance to the invaders amongst the proud warrior tribes of Britain. Nowhere is this resistance more determined than in the tribes of the south-west, scornfully daring the Romans to do their worst from the fastnesses of their great hillforts.
For Cato and Macro there is only a short respite before Vespasian will once again lead them, and the men of the battered Second Legion, against the formidable fortresses of the Britons, and a deadly new enemy.