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The Atrebates (meaning settlers) were one of the Celtic tribes living in the British Islands, previous to the Roman invasion of Britain. The tribe lived in the south of England, namely in modern Hampshire, West Sussex and Surrey, centred around the capital Calleva Atrebatum (Silchester).
The Atrebantes were not native to Britain. Their origin is in Gaul, where the tribe, ruled by Commius during the Gallic Wars, made an alliance with Julius Caesar. Later, during the uprise of Vercingetorix, Commius rebelled against the Romans and joined the Gallic army in the Siege of Alesia. In 51, Commius and his tribesmen fled to Britain to escape conquer and Roman domination.
Commius' descendants would rule part of the island until Claudius conquest and the establishment of Roman Britain. The Atrebates kings are known from cross-referencing in the ancient sources and by numismatic evidence.
After Roman conquest, the Atrebates' lands were organized in the pro-Roman kingdom of the Regnenses.
Tribal lords
See also: List of Celtic tribes