The ancient Greek geographer and explorer Pytheas gave the name Prettanike to the British Isles. He is the first to name the islands in writing, and the contemporary term 'Britain' is derived from his term.

Pretannike becomes known as the place where Philip flees to after a radi by a Germanic tribe kills most of his men in Belgica, and forces him to flee the continent. Also the location of a trading post ordered set up by Alexander in Dumnonia (Cornwall).