Caratacus vs Li Ling

Caratacus led the Catuvellauni and other British tribes in resistance against the Roman invasion of Britain under Emperor Claudius. He organized guerrilla warfare and defended key strongholds against the advancing Roman legions.

Caratacus fought against Roman forces under Aulus Plautius at the Battle of the Medway. The battle was a hard-fought Roman victory, with the Britons using chariots and infantry to contest the river crossing.

Caratacus made his final stand at the Battle of Caer Caradoc in Wales. He used the terrain to fortify his position, but Roman forces under Publius Ostorius Scapula outflanked and defeated him. His wife and daughter were captured.

Caratacus was captured by the Brigantes and handed over to the Romans. Brought to Rome, he made a famous speech before Emperor Claudius, asking for mercy. Claudius spared his life, and Caratacus lived the rest of his days in Rome.

Li Ling led 5,000 Han infantry deep into Xiongnu territory. After days of fighting against a vastly larger Xiongnu army, his forces ran out of arrows and were surrounded. Li Ling surrendered to the Xiongnu rather than be captured or killed.

After his defeat at Junji Mountain, Li Ling surrendered to the Xiongnu. Emperor Wu of Han initially praised Li Ling but later, believing false reports that Li Ling was training Xiongnu troops, ordered the execution of Li Ling's entire family in China.

After surrendering, Li Ling was given a Xiongnu princess as a wife and granted a fief by the Xiongnu Chanyu. He lived among the Xiongnu for the remainder of his life, never returning to Han China.