Iceni (Celtica)

The Iceni tribe (from Old Briton 'Ikeni') was a Brythonic civiliation based in and around OTL East Anglia. Formed in roughly the first century BC, the early days of the Iceni tribe are shrouded in mystery and obscurity, making itself largely known during c.60 AD, during a revolt led by Boudica. Originally a tribe based in Touta Iceni, the civilization eventually became a major influential civilization in Bronze Age and Post-Bronze Age Britain, encompassing the area of OTL East Anglia at its greatest extent.

Iceni was 'peacefully annexed' by the Roman Empire at some point before 47 AD, though was allowed some autonomy. When the king died and Boudica I became High Queen of Iceni, the Roman Empire saw her unfit to rule and invaded the region. Iceni led a revolt against the Roman Empire in c.60 AD and regained its independence, along with the independence of several other tribes. This led to the subsequent formation of the Comhairle, an alliance of the British tribes. Iceni had a major say in Comhairle affairs and became an important center of trade, military, and leadership.

History
Iceni began as a small civilization near OTL Norfolk in the 1st century BC. Due to lack of records, the history of pre-Roman Iceni is largely based on assumption. What is known is that the tribe was relatively peaceful, though their military was strong if provoked. The tribe was annexed by the Roman Empire at some point prior to 47 AD, leading to a brief revolt in 47 AD. The tribe was allowed limited autonomy, giving the High King authority over his people. Contrary to popular belief, the Kings did not live as 'barbarians' as the viewpoint of Bronze Age tribes would have one believe.

In c.59 AD, Prastagus died, leaving his husband, Boudica I, as the queen. The Romans, seeing a woman unfit to rule, attempted to remove Boudica I from her throne. She and her daughters were taken to Londinium to be raped and flogged. The very angered Boudica rallied warriors from her tribes and other subjugated tribes to revolt against Roman rule. A guerilla-based war followed. For years, the Celtic forces stormed Roman British lands, burning Londinium and several other cities to the ground.

When Rome called for peace, the Celtic tribes formed the Comhairle in order to maintain their hold on Britain. The Iceni/Roman relations remained bitter, if not hostile, for quite some time. In the 2nd Century AD, the Comhairle/Roman relations drastically improved. To ensure hostilities did not return, the Comhairle were willing to trade with Rome, though this was usually denied. Still, many gladiators and entertainers hailed from Iceni and were described as 'fierce, tough, and completely insane' by one eyewitness.

Relations in the third century AD took a bitter turn. As the Roman Empire fought itself in the Crisis of the Third Century, several Romans began to defect to Comhairle lands to avoid too much trouble. When Maximus Thrax, a former Roman Emperor, came to Iceni for help, they took him in. The Roman Empire, demanding the return of Thrax, invaded again. When they were pushed out after several months of fighting, Iceni offered to return Thrax in exchange for weapons, armor, and a large amount of gold.

When the Gallic Empire revolted, Comhairle viewed this as a chance to invade Roman Britain. Britannia had revolted with Gaul, allowing the Comhairle to invade without suffering poor relations with the Romans. Iceni led the attack, taking Britannia. Troops were slaughtered and towns were ransacked. When Gaul surrendered, Iceni sold Britannia back to the Roman Empire for gold, putting the empire even more in debt.

Roman citizens continued to leave Rome for Comhairle, settling in Iceni due to its proximity to Europe and Britannia. Even an former Roman General defected to the Iceni tribe, teaching the tribe Roman tactics. Iceni warriors assisted Comhairle in the Pictish Wars in the late fourth century. In the fifth century, Rome suffered massive invasions by Germanic tribes. Roman troops left Britannia and Albion, marking Rome's departure from Britain. Iceni and the other Comhairle tribes led the wars to annex the two nations into Comhairle.

Following the annexation of Britannia and Albion, Comhairle chose to merge all Celtic civilizations in the alliance, including Iceni, into one nation known as the Kingdom of Ollmhór. The Iceni civilization ceased to exist, though its regions became some of the most important areas of Ollmhór. Many rulers and generals of Ollmhór were descended from Iceni citizens, warriors, and rulers.