C is for Cerialis

C is for Quintus Petilius Cerialis.

And who was he? Yesterday’s post finished with the rescue of Queen Cartimandua of the Brigantes and the short reign of her ex-husband Venutius which started in AD 69. Roll forward a little to AD 70/71. The Roman Empire had been battling with the hostile Brigante tribes for a good while under Governor, Marcus Vettius Bolanus when the governorship was changed yet again.

The newly appointed governor, Quintus Petilius Cerialis, had been in Britannia before but had not distinguished himself at all well as the Legate of Legio IX Hispana the during the AD 60/61 revolt of Queen Bouddica of the Iceni- the ‘Massacre of the IX Legion’ becoming infamous through the writings of Tacitus.

 http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Boadicea_haranguing2.png

However, subsequent successful experience in other parts of the Roman Empire, notably the defeat of the Batavians, led to him gaining honours from the Emperor Vespasian, who appointed him as Governor of Britannia in AD 71. Being a relative of Vespasian might have helped, too, since Cerialis had survived being taken hostage as a supporter of Vespasian during the political upheaval of AD 69. His subsequent escape and triumphal equestrian entry to conquer Rome in advance of the arrival of Vespasian was given due honours.

( photo:  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A._Tempesta_Cerialis_1612.jpg

Description:  Antonio Tempesta (possibly after Otto van Veen). Cerialis grants mercy to soldiers that went over to the enemy, 69-70 [from the Revolt of the Batavi series]. 1612. Etching. 165 × 210 mm. Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum Amsterdam (inv.nr. RP-P-OB-77.933).)

As governor of Britannia, Cerialis aggressively campaigned against the Brigantes who had ceased to be of ‘client tribal status’ and who were constantly repelling the forces of Rome in localised skirmishes. Cerialis' aim was to subdue every last tribe, and he set to releasing the resources needed for this. While his forces of the IX Legion, and later those of the II Adiutrix (auxiliary) Legion, moved northwards from a base at Lindum (Lincoln), he was supported by Agricola and the XX Legion who advanced up the west side of Brigantia.

Mid-Brigantia was smothered. 

After the defeat of Venutius in AD 73 (most likely near the Celtic hillfort at Stanwick) Cerialis set to policing the areas already subdued by building many small forts in northern Britain, and it is now thought that at least some of his advancing subduing forces may have moved into present day Scotland- the dating of Roman marching camps and small forts possibly matching his tenure as governor.

  

Since my writing in progress, the sequel to THE BELTANE CHOICE, begins in AD71 it is no real surprise that Cerialis is mentioned quite frequently in it!

Slainthe!