Arvirargus
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Arvirargus was a legendary king of the Britons as accounted by Geoffrey of Monmouth. He was the son of King Cymbeline and succeeded his brother, King Togodumnus when he fell at the Battle of Medway in 43CE fighting against the Romans under the command of Emperor Claudius. It is very possible, considering the similiarities, that Arvirargus is the same person as Caratacus, also listed as a son of Cymbeline.
Following his older brother's death, Arvirargus took the armour of Togodumnus and led the army of the Britons against the Romans. When he learned that Claudius and his commander, Hamo, had fled into the woods, Arvirargus followed him until they reached the coast. The Britons killed Hamo as he was trying to flee onto a ship and the place was named Southampton since that day. Claudius was able to reassemble his troops elsewhere and he besieged Portchester until it fell to his forces.
Following Hamo's death, Arvirargus sought refuge at Winchester but Claudius followed him there with his army. Following a siege, the Britons fled the city and attacked the Romans but Claudius halted the attack in exchange for a treaty. In exchange for peace and tribute with Rome, Claudius offered Arvirargus his own daughter in marriage. They accepted each other's terms and Arvirargus aided Claudius in subduing the Orkneys and other northern lands.
In the following spring, Arvirargus wed Claudius's daughter, Genvissa, and named the city of Gloucester after her. Following the wedding, Claudius left Britain in the control of Arvirargus. In the years following Claudius' departure, Arvirargus rebuilt the cities that had been ruined and became feared by his neighbours. This caused him to halt his tribute to Rome forcing Claudius to send Vespasian with an army to Britain. As Vespasian prepared to land, such a large Briton force stood ready that he fled to another port, Totnes, where he set up camp.
Once a base was established, he marched to Exeter and besieged the city. Arvirargus met him in battle there and the fight was stalemated. The following morning, Queen Genvissa mediated peace between the two foes. Vespasian returned to Rome and Arvirargus ruled the country peacefully for some years. When he finally died, he was buried in Gloucester, the city he had built with Claudius. He was succeeded by his son, Marius.
| Preceded by: Togodumnus | Mythical British Kings | Succeeded by: Marius |