Cantabrians are well aware of the story of how the Roman Empire struggled to conquer them, or actually never really did (see the Cantabrian Wars). During that time, there would have been many warriors (male and female) who would have fought bravely to preserve their way of life and defend their people. Corocotta (or for some would be spelt Korokota, more similar to the neighbouring Basque language) would have been one of these warriors. The Cantabrian story says that he was probably a respected chief or warrior of some of the Cantabrian tribes and that such was the Romans anger towards him, that they set an enormously high price on his head. In response to this, Corocotta turned himself into the Roman Emperor with the purpose of claiming the big financial reward himself and he willingly offering his life (head) in exchange.