Mandubracius

Mandubracius or Mandubratius, erroneously also Androgeus, Welsh Afarwy, was a king of the Trinovantes, a tribe in the South East of England, v. in the 1st century AD

History and Legend

Mandubracius was the son of King Imanuentius Trinovantes, who was overthrown and killed by the Britannic chief Cassivellaunus. Then Mandubracius fled to Gaul in the protection of Caesar, some time before this translated to Britain (54 BC). As Cassivellaunus organized the defense against the Romans, the Trinovantes and befriended with them tribes betrayed his whereabouts, to which he was successfully besieged by Caesar. Cassivellaunus had to commit in his capitulation to recognize Mandubracius as king of the Trinovantes and to be governed in peace.

In Historia Regum Britanniae Geoffrey of Monmouth ( "History of the Kings of Britain " ) Cassivellaunus is the regent for his nephew Androgeus. The figure of Androgeus is equated with Mandubracius, the name change is clearly based on a copying error that has happened in Orosius ( Historiarum adversum Pagano libri VII ) and was acquired by Geoffrey. Also influencing Geoffrey by the Greek mythical figure Androgeos is considered possible. Orosius has Aragius, a former ruler in Britain, mistakenly introduced in this story. Here fight Cassivellaunus and Androgeus / Mandubracius together against the Romans until they fall out because of a parricide. Androgeus fled to Caesar, this defeated Cassivellaunus, make peace, and returns to Rome. Androgeus follows him there and does not return to Britain.

In the Welsh translation of Geoffrey's work, Brut y Brenhinedd, and in the Trioedd Ynys Prydein ( " The Triads of the Island of Britain " ) Cassivellaunus named Caswallawn and Androgeus the name Afarwy. It is known as one of the three " dishonorable men of the Island of Britain " because he had asked Caesar to invade Britain.

The American historian John T. Koch suspects Mandubracius the historical basis for the Welsh mythological figure Manawydan. He heads the name of * Mannue: tios and * Mannue: tiagnos ( " son of Mannuetios " ) ago.