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Mandubracius orMandubratius was a king of theTrinovantes of south-easternBritain in the 1st century BC.
Mandubracius was the son of a Trinovantian king, namedImanuentius in some manuscripts ofJulius Caesar'sDe Bello Gallico, who was overthrown and killed by the warlordCassivellaunus some time beforeCaesar's second expedition to Britain in 54 BC. Mandubracius fled to the protection of Caesar in Gaul. Cassivellaunus then led the British defence against theRomans, but the Trinovantes betrayed the location of his fortress to Caesar, who proceeded to besiege him there. As part of the terms of Cassivellaunus's surrender, Mandubracius was installed as king of the Trinovantes, and Cassivellaunus undertook not to make war against him.[1]
He appears inGeoffrey of Monmouth'sHistoria Regum Britanniae (1136) asAndrogeus, eldest son of the legendary kingLud. The name change can be traced to copying errors inOrosius'sSeven Books of History Against the Pagans, a 5th-century Christian history which was influential in medieval Britain, where it appears in different manuscripts as "Mandubragius" and "Andragorius".[2]Bede, who follows Orosius almost verbatim for his account of Caesar's expeditions, calls him "Andragius"[3] (a name which Geoffrey used for anearlier British king). Geoffrey might also have been influenced by theGreek mythological characterAndrogeus.
When Lud died, Androgeus and his brotherTasciovanus were too young to rule, so the throne went to their uncleCassivellaunus. Androgeus was made Duke ofTrinovantum (London) andKent, and participated in the defence of Britain againstJulius Caesar. After Caesar's first two invasions were repelled, the Britons held a celebration at which sacrifices were made to the gods and games played. Cuelinus, a nephew of Androgeus, wrestled with Hirelglas, Cassivellaunus's nephew, and killed him in a dispute over the result. Cassivellaunus demanded Androgeus hand over his nephew for trial, but fearing the king's intentions, Androgeus refused, offering to try him in his own court. Cassivellaunus made war on Androgeus, who appealed to Caesar for help. He gave hostages, including his own son Scaeva, as proof of his intentions, and Caesar invaded a third time. Between them, Androgeus and Caesar forced Cassivellaunus to submit and agree to pay tribute to Rome. Caesar spent the winter in Britain, and he and Cassivellaunus became friends. When he finally returned to Rome to fight thecivil war againstPompey, Androgeus went with him, never to return.[4]
InMiddle Welsh versions of Geoffrey'sHistoria,[5] and in theWelsh Triads, he appears asAfarwy. The Triads name him as one of the "Three Dishonoured Men of the Island of Britain" for inviting Caesar to invade.[6]
John Koch suggests that Mandubracius might be the historical basis of theWelsh mythological figureManawydan: he reconstructs the original form of his father's name as *Mannuētios, and an earlier form of Manwydan as *Mannuētiagnos, "son of Mannuetios".[7]
