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VericaVerica (early 1st century AD) was a British client king of the Roman Empire in the years preceding the Claudian invasion of 43 AD. From his coinage, he appears to have been king of the Atrebates tribe and a descendant of Commius. He followed his elder brother Eppillus as king, reigning at Calleva Atrebatum, today called Silchester. He was recognised as rex by Rome and appears to have had friendly trade and diplomatic links with the empire. Dio Cassius records that 'Bericus' (almost certainly Verica) was expelled around AD 43 during a revolt, possibly led by the anti-Roman Caratacus. This gave Claudius an excuse to begin his invasion. Suetonius suggests that the exiled Bericus persuaded Claudius to invade personally. That the Atrebates demanded Verica's extradition and the later disturbances they caused when this was not acceded to may also have inspired Roman action. Verica's relationship with Rome has been used to argue for the site of the Roman invasion of Britain as being along the south coast to assist him, rather than being at the traditional spot at Richborough in Kent. After the invasion, Verica may have been restored as king but this is not attested in the historical or archaeological record. In any case a new ruler for the region, Cogidubnus soon appeared. Cogidubnus may have been an heir of Verica who by this time would have been very elderly indeed.
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