Boudica: Warrior Woman of Roman Britain (Women in Antiquity)

In AD 60/61, Rome almost lost the province of Britain to a woman. Boudica, wife of the client king Prasutagus, fomented a rebellion that proved catastrophic for Camulodunum (Colchester), Londinium (London), and Verulamium (St Albans), destroyed part of a Roman legion, and caused the deaths of an untold number of veterans, families, soldiers, and Britons. Yet with one decisive defeat, her vision of freedom was destroyed, and the Iceni never rose again. Boudica: Warrior Woman of Roman Britain introduces readers to the life and literary importance of Boudica through juxtaposing her different literary characterizations with those of other women and rebel leaders. This study focuses on our earliest literary evidence, the accounts of Tacitus and Cassius Dio, and investigates their narratives alongside material evidence of late Iron Age and early Roman Britain. Throughout the book, Caitlin Gillespie draws comparative sketches between Boudica and the positive and negative examples with which readers associate her, including the prophetess Veleda, the client queen Cartimandua, and the rebel Caratacus. Literary comparisons assist in the understanding of Boudica as a barbarian, queen, mother, commander in war, and leader of revolt. Within the ancient texts, Boudica is also used as an internal commentator on the failures of the emperor Nero, and her revolt epitomizes ongoing conflicts of gender and power at the end of the Juilio-Claudian era. Both literary and archaeological sources point towards broader issues inherent in the clash between Roman and native cultures. Boudica's unique ability to unify disparate groups of Britons cemented her place in the history of Roman Britain. While details of her life remain elusive, her literary character still has more to say. In AD 60/61, Rome almost lost the province of Britain to a woman. Boudica, wife of the client king Prasutagus, fomented a rebellion that proved catastrophic for Camulodunum (Colchester), Londinium (London), and Verulamium (St Albans), destroyed part of a Roman legion, and caused the deaths of an untold number of veterans, families, soldiers, and Britons. Yet with one decisive defeat, her vision of freedom was destroyed, and the Iceni never rose again. Boudica: Warrior Woman of Roman Britain introduces readers to the life and literary importance of Boudica through juxtaposing her literary characterizations with those of other women and rebel leaders. This study analyzes the narratives of Tacitus and Cassius Dio alongside material evidence of late Iron Age and early Roman Britain. The book draws comparative sketches between Boudica and the positive and negative examples with which readers associate her, including the prophetess Veleda, the client queen Cartimandua, and the rebel Caratacus. Literary comparisons assist in the understanding of Boudica as a barbarian, queen, mother, commander in war, and leader of revolt. Despite the available ancient evidence, the real Boudica remains elusive. Boudica’s unique ability to unify disparate groups of Britons cemented her place in history. While details of her life remain out of reach, her literary character still has more to say Boudica: Warrior Woman Of Roman Britain Introduces Readers To The Life And Literary Importance Of Boudica Through Juxtaposing Her Different Literary Characterizations With Those Of Other Women And Rebel Leaders. This Study Focuses On Our Earliest Literary Evidence, The Accounts Of Tacitus And Cassius Dio, And Investigates Their Narratives Alongside Material Evidence Of Late Iron Age And Early Roman Britain.--provided By Publisher. Britain: The Final Frontier -- Wife, Queen, Roman? -- Family And Freedom -- We Learned These Things From The Romans -- Dux Femina -- I Call Upon You, Andraste -- The Wolf And The Hare -- Epilogue: Warrior Woman. Caitlin C. Gillespie. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. 'Boudica' introduces readers to the life and literary importance of Boudica through juxtaposing her literary characterisations in Tacitus and Cassius Dio with those of other women and rebel leaders. Literary comparisons assist in the understanding of Boudica as a barbarian, queen, mother, commander in war and leader of revolt