56 BC

__NOTOC__Year 56 BC was a year of the pre-Julian calendar.

Events

By place

Britain

*This year, or possibly the following year, the king of the Trinovantes, possibly called Imanuentius, is overthrown and killed by his rival Cassivellaunus. His son Mandubracius flees to Gaul and appeals to Julius Caesar for help.

Rome

*Consuls: Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus Marcellinus and Lucius Marcius Philippus.
*Clodia accuses her former lover Marcus Caelius Rufus of trying to poison her. The trial ends with the defendant acquitted thanks to the "Pro Caelio" speech of Marcus Tullius Cicero. There is no further mention of the previously famous Clodia.
*Gallic War:
**Julius Caesar defeats the Veneti of Brittany: the most decisive battle is the naval action in the Battle of Gulf of Morbihan.

Births

*

Deaths

*Lucullus, consul (b. c. 118 BC)
*Tigranes the Great, king of Armenia (b. c. 140 BC)