Pre-Roman Celtic Kingdoms

Tribe of the Cantiaci / Cantii

One of the few pre-Roman kingdoms to maintain any kind of continuity after the Roman departure, in the form of the kingdom of Ceint (modern Kent). Some of the four individuals who flourished around 55 BC may have been sub-rulers or the Cantii may have been divided into four kingdoms. The Cantii in 54 BC were strongly influenced by their Belgic neighbours, the Atrebates.

(Additional information taken from The Oxford History of England: Roman Britain, Peter Salway.)

fl 55 BC

Cingetorix

fl 55 BC

Carvilius

fl 55 BC

Taximagulus

fl 55 BC

Segovax

55 BC

Concerned about the level of British support for the Gauls during the Gallic Wars, Julius Caesar mounts a reconnaissance mission, landing his Roman troops at Deal and engaging several south-eastern tribes in battle from his shoreline base before he is forced to retreat.

The Aylesford bucket burial dates to Kent of the first century BC, between 75-25 BC

54 BC

Caesar, with five legions and 2000 cavalry, lands near the same point. He temporarily clears a hill fort of its Briton defenders, probably Bigbury near Canterbury. Then, distracted for ten days by the necessity of building a secure camp, he returns to find a much larger force under Cassivellaunus, probably king of the Catuvellauni (although this is uncertain).

c.30 BC

The Cantii move their capital to a crossing on the River Stour (the site of modern Canterbury).

c.15 BC - AD 5

Dumnovellaunos

King of the Trinovantes (20-5 BC) & Coritani.

fl AD 5

Vosenos

Overthrown by Eppillus.

c.15 - c.25?

Eppillus

Exiled king of the Atrebates & Belgae.

Iovir

A shadowy figure.

c.25

The Catuvellauni expand their sphere of influence into the Cantii territory.

c.25 - c.40

Amminius

Son of Cunobelinus of the Catuvellauni.

c.40 - 43

Caratacus

Lost kingdom to the Romans. Ascended Catuvellaunian throne.

43

The Cantii are conquered by the invading Romans.

In the fifth century, the Roman-British kingdom of Ceint re-emerges as a directly descended form of the Cantii.