Cleveland Museum of Art

Verica Stater: Sunken Tablet (obverse); Horse and Rider (reverse)

Date

c. 10–40 CE

Medium

gold

Culture

England

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Verica was the youngest son of Commius. He is identified as the Bericus whom the historian Sion Cassius refers to as being in exile, and appealing to Claudius for help. Commius was king of the Atrebates. When Caesar was planning his first visit to Britain, some Britons sent him envoys with offers of hostages and allegiance to Rome. Caesar received them favorably and retained no hostages but sent Commius and his high commissioner with instructions to persuade the Britons to ally themselves with Rome, and to expect Caesar in person in a few weeks time. This took place in 55 BC. It is therefore possible that Verica was either born fairly late in his father's life or that he was illegitimate. However that may be, his reign can with reasonable accuracy be placed as being in the first and second quarters of the first century AD. Verica was king just before the conquest of Britain by the Romans.

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