Editing Commius (section)

==Ally of Caesar==
When [[Julius Caesar]] conquered the Atrebates in Gaul in 57 BC,<ref>[[Julius Caesar]], ''[[Commentarii de Bello Gallico]]'' [[s:Commentaries on the Gallic War/Book 2#|Book 2]]</ref> as recounted in his ''[[Commentarii de Bello Gallico]]'', he appointed Commius as king of the tribe. Before Caesar's first expedition to Britain in 55 BC, Commius was sent as Caesar's envoy to persuade the Britons not to resist him, as Caesar believed he would have influence on the island.<ref>Caesar, ''De Bello Gallico'' [[s:Commentaries on the Gallic War/Book 4#21|4.21]]</ref> However he was arrested as soon as he arrived. When the Britons failed to prevent Caesar from landing, Commius was handed over as part of the negotiations.<ref>Caesar, ''De Bello Gallico'' [[s:Commentaries on the Gallic War/Book 4#27|4.27]]</ref> Commius was able to provide a small detachment of cavalry from his tribe to help Caesar defeat further British attacks.<ref>Caesar, ''De Bello Gallico'' [[s:Commentaries on the Gallic War/Book 4#35|4.35]]</ref> During Caesar's second expedition to Britain Commius negotiated the surrender of the British leader [[Cassivellaunus]].<ref>Caesar, ''De Bello Gallico'' [[s:Commentaries on the Gallic War/Book 5#22|5.22]]</ref> He remained Caesar's [[Roman client kingdoms in Britain|loyal client]] through the Gaulish revolts of 54 BC, and in return Caesar allowed the Atrebates to remain independent and exempt from tax, and in addition appointed Commius to rule the [[Morini]].<ref>Caesar, ''De Bello Gallico'' [[s:Commentaries on the Gallic War/Book 6#6|6.6]], [[s:Commentaries on the Gallic War/Book 7#76|7.76]]</ref>

However this loyalty was not to last, as related by [[Aulus Hirtius]] in the final book of the ''De Bello Gallico'', written after Caesar's death. While Caesar was in [[Cisalpine Gaul]] in the winter of 53, the [[legatus|legate]] [[Titus Labienus]] believed that Commius had been conspiring against the Romans with other Gaulish tribes. Labienus sent a [[tribune]], [[Gaius Volusenus|Gaius Volusenus Quadratus]], and some [[centurion]]s to summon Commius to a sham meeting at which they would execute him for his treachery, but Commius escaped with a severe head wound. He vowed never again to associate with Romans.<ref>Hirtius, ''De Bello Gallico'' [[s:Commentaries on the Gallic War/Book 8#23|8.23]]</ref>