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Boudica: Warrior Woman of Roman Britain

Online ISBN:
9780190875596
Print ISBN:
9780190609078
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Book

Boudica: Warrior Woman of Roman Britain

Caitlin C. Gillespie
Caitlin C. Gillespie

Lecturer in Classics

Lecturer in Classics, Columbia University
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Published online:
21 June 2018
Published in print:
22 March 2018
Online ISBN:
9780190875596
Print ISBN:
9780190609078
Publisher:
Oxford University Press

Abstract

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.

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