# Betrayed explained — Beric the Briton > Chapter companion for Beric the Briton by G. A. Henty. ## What happens Beric and his companions are captured by Suetonius after a fierce battle in the Fens. They are brought before Petronius Turpillianus, who offers amnesty to the Britons and seeks Beric's help to negotiate peace. Beric, though captive, speaks boldly against Roman tyranny and the injustices of Catus Decianus. Petronius agrees to take an oath of leniency, and Beric sends a message to his people via wounded captives. The chapter ends with the captives being taken to Camalodunum, where Beric reflects on his fate and the possibility of being sent to Rome as a gladiator. ## Themes in this chapter ### Freedom vs. Oppression Beric's speech condemns Roman tyranny under Decianus, contrasting it with the ideal of just rule, and argues that death is preferable to oppression. ### Sacrifice and Bravery Beric and his men choose to fight to the death rather than surrender, and Beric negotiates for his people's safety at personal risk. ### Justice and Tyranny The chapter highlights the injustice of Decianus's actions and Petronius's attempt to restore justice through amnesty and fair treatment. ### Resilience and Survival Despite capture and the destruction of their stronghold, Beric seeks to ensure the survival of his people through negotiation. ## Character check-ins ### Beric The young Iceni chief, captured by treachery, speaks defiantly before Petronius and negotiates terms for his people's surrender. ### Boduoc A fierce warrior and companion of Beric, furious at their capture and preferring death to dishonor. ### Suetonius Roman general who captured Beric and his band, intending to take them to Rome as trophies. ### Petronius Turpillianus The new propraetor, seeking to pacify Britain through amnesty and negotiation rather than further bloodshed. ### Catus Decianus Former procurator whose tyranny and abuse of Boadicea sparked the rebellion, condemned by Beric. ### Boadicea Queen of the Iceni, referenced as a victim of Decianus's cruelty, which motivated the uprising. ### Aska A fallen warrior of Beric's band, killed by a Roman javelin during the battle. ## Key lines > Had Rome been conquered by a more powerful nation, every Roman would have risen in arms had one tenth of the tyranny been practised against them which Catus Decianus exercised against us. If Rome had been conquered, its people would have rebelled against even a fraction of the oppression Decianus inflicted on us. _Beric argues that Roman hypocrisy is evident in their harsh rule, which they would never tolerate themselves._ > Death was a thousand times better than such treatment. Dying was far preferable to enduring such abuse. _Beric expresses the Britons' willingness to die rather than submit to tyranny._ > I believe that there is justice in your complaints, Beric, and it is to lessen these grievances that Rome has sent me hither. Petronius acknowledges Beric's grievances and states that his mission is to address them. _Petronius seeks to differentiate his rule from Decianus's by offering reconciliation._ > The choice does not appear a pleasing one, to be a private or public slave, or to be killed for the amusement of the Romans. None of the options—slavery or death in the arena—seem appealing. _Boduoc grimly summarizes the fate awaiting captives in Rome._ > If he kills you he is doing you a service; if you kill him, you have greatly obliged him. In gladiatorial combat, either outcome is a favor to the other, as both are weary of life. _Boduoc offers a darkly humorous perspective on the gladiator's fate._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beric_the_briton_se/chapters/x-betrayed - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beric_the_briton_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beric_the_briton_se/chapters