Topic 3 Cogidubnus and Fishbourne Palace

Question 1

Who was Cogidubnus?

Answer 1

Cogidubnus was probably a member of the family that ruled the Atrebates. After the Roman invasion of AD43 the Romans appointed him king of this tribe, which was re-named the Regnenses.

Question 2

why was Cogidubnus granted kingship and what did this allow him to do?

Answer 2

Cogidubnus was a faithful supporter of the Romans, and the kingship may have been a reward from the Emperor Claudius for helping them at the time of the invasion. He was granted Roman citizenship and allowed to add two of the emperor’s names (Tiberius Claudius) to his own.

Question 3

what was a client king?

Answer 3

he ruled on behalf of the emperor and that he was responsible for collecting the taxes and keeping the peace in his part of Britain.

Question 4

how did Cogidubnus being a client king help the Roman invasion of Britain?

Answer 4

he played an important part in keeping the southern region loyal to Rome, while the legions advanced to conquer the tribes in the north.

Question 5

How did Tacitus refer to Cogidubnus?

Answer 5

“our most faithful ally”.

Question 6

why does Cogidubnus seems the likeliest owner of Fishbourne palace?

Answer 6

• The owner was a man of immense wealth, thoroughly familiar with Roman culture, who was sufficiently accepted by the Roman authorities to be allowed to live in such splendour within the province.
• The provision of the audience chamber and the adjacent reception rooms, together with guest suites, suggest a man with a high official position.
• The history and development of the building may suggest the increasing fortunes of a single man or household. (The first wooden buildings go back to the time of the Roman invasion or shortly afterwards; about AD 75 a huge new building was built on the same site.)