Peter Jackson

Artist: Peter Jackson
Medium: Watercolour on Board
Size: 11" x 14" (280mm x 360mm)
Date: 1963

This is the original Watercolour painting by Peter Jackson.

Caratacus (also spelled Caractacus) was the king of the Catuvellauni in Britain at the time of the Roman invasion under their commander, Aulus Plautius. He and his brother, Togodumnus, were said to be sons of the British king, Cunobelinus, and became the leaders of the anti-Roman campaign that managed to resist the invaders for a period of nearly nine years.

After some early defeats in the east, Caratacus moved west into more rugged territories that would be easier to defend. Caratacus' final defeat came at the hands of the Roman governor, Ostorious Scapula, in 51 AD. Although his forces were defeated, Caratacus was not killed in the battle and managed to escape to the land of the Brigantes in northern Britain.

Unfortunately for him, Cartimandua, the Queen of the Brigantes, was bound by a client-ruler relationship with the Romans, so she handed Caratacus over to them. He was sent to Rome along with other captives, where he came to Claudius' attention for his courtesy and bearing and so was pardoned. He and his family were permitted to live out their lives in peace in Italy, but the date of his death is unknown. This outstanding illustration of the first British hero was painted for Treasure magazine issue 16th March 1963.

This art has been sold and is shown in our Archive for interest.
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