Wales

“Wales” didn’t exist as a political or cultural entity in 47–52 CE. Let me search for the accurate terminology for this period.Perfect! You’re absolutely correct. Based on the historical evidence, here’s what we should use for authentic 47–52 CE terminology:

Correct Historical Terminology

What Romans Would Have Called It:

• “Cymru” — This was the Celtic term that Romans encountered (the people called their land “Cymru”)
• “The western territories” — General Roman administrative term
• Specific tribal territories: “Silures territory,” “Ordovices lands,” “Deceangli country”

What NOT to Use:

• “Wales” — This name didn’t exist until much later
• “Welsh borderlands” — The concept of “Welsh” as an ethnic/political identity came later
• “Welsh territories” — Same problem

Proper Tribal Names for Your Story:

Four main tribes in the area:

• Silures (South-east — your main focus area)
• Ordovices (North-central and north-west)
• Deceangli (North-east)
• Demetae (South-west)

How Romans Would Refer to the People:

• “Britons” — All British Celtic peoples were called Britons by Romans
• “Brythonic speakers” — They spoke Common Brittonic (predecessor to Welsh)
• Specific tribal names — “Silures warriors,” “Ordovices resistance”

Corrected Terminology for Your Novel:

Instead of: “Welsh territories” or “Welsh borderlands”

Use: “The western territories,” “Cymru,” “Silures territory,” or “the tribal lands”

Instead of: “Welsh tribes”

Use: “British tribes,” “Celtic tribes,” or specific names like “the Silures”

Instead of: “Welsh resistance”

Use: “Tribal resistance,” “Celtic resistance,” or “Silures resistance”

This actually makes your story more historically authentic and gives it a more genuinely Roman perspective — they wouldn’t think in terms of “Wales” but rather specific tribal territories they were conquering.