Prasutagus

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Prasutagus was king of a British Celtic tribe called the Iceni, who inhabited roughly what is now Norfolk, in the 1st century AD. His wife was Boudica.

Prasutagus may have been installed as a pro-Roman ruler following the defeat of a rebellion of the Iceni in 47. As an ally of Rome his tribe were allowed to remain nominally independent, and to ensure this Prasutagus named the Roman emperor as co-heir to his kingdom, along with his two daughters. When he died, in 60 or shortly before, the Romans ignored his will and took over, depriving the nobles of their lands and plundering the kingdom. Roman financiers called in their loans. Boudica was flogged and their daughters raped. All this led to the revolt of the Iceni, under the leadership of Boudica, in 60 or 61.

Coins have recently (2006) been found inscribed with the name 'Esuprastus' or 'Esu Prasto', which archaeologist Chris Rudd suggests (In Current Archaeology, 205, Pg 34) is the Celtic version of Prasutagus.

Rudd also refers to a coin found inscribed with the name 'Ale Scavo' - the latter part of the name suggesting a Roman connection from 'Scaevola' - left handed. Rudd suggests he was succeeded by Esu Prasto, possibly after the rebellion of 47AD.

Rudd prefers to render the name of Boudicca's kingdom as the Eceni not the Iceni.