The queen BoudicaThe queen Boudica

Stefano Crocicchia Stefano Crocicchia

Classe IIClasse IIaaFcFc

Boudica’s life (Part 1)Boudica’s life (Part 1)

BoudicaBoudica (d. AD 60 or 61) was originary from the (d. AD 60 or 61) was originary from the actual Norfolk and was a queen of the Brittonic actual Norfolk and was a queen of the Brittonic Iceni tribe of what is now known as East Anglia in Iceni tribe of what is now known as East Anglia in England, who led an uprising of the tribes against England, who led an uprising of the tribes against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire.the occupying forces of the Roman Empire.Boudica's husband, Prasutagus, an Icenian king Boudica's husband, Prasutagus, an Icenian king who had ruled as a nominally independent ally of who had ruled as a nominally independent ally of Rome, left his kingdom jointly to his daughters and Rome, left his kingdom jointly to his daughters and the Roman Emperor in his will. However, when he the Roman Emperor in his will. However, when he died his will was ignored. The kingdom was died his will was ignored. The kingdom was annexed as if conquered, Boudica was flogged and annexed as if conquered, Boudica was flogged and her daughters raped, and Roman financiers called her daughters raped, and Roman financiers called in their loans.in their loans.

Boudica’s life (Part 2)Boudica’s life (Part 2)

In AD 60 or 61, while the Roman governor, Gaius In AD 60 or 61, while the Roman governor, Gaius Suetonius Paulinus, was leading a campaign on the Suetonius Paulinus, was leading a campaign on the island of Anglesey in north Wales, Boudica led the island of Anglesey in north Wales, Boudica led the Iceni, along with the Trinovantes and others, in Iceni, along with the Trinovantes and others, in revolt against the Roman Empire who controlled revolt against the Roman Empire who controlled the island of Britain at the time. the island of Britain at the time. She first burnt Camulodunum, Londinium and She first burnt Camulodunum, Londinium and Verulamium (now respectly Colchester, London and Verulamium (now respectly Colchester, London and St Albans) to the ground and was somewhat St Albans) to the ground and was somewhat successful in her efforts. Hearing of this, the successful in her efforts. Hearing of this, the Romans gathered a larger army and there was a Romans gathered a larger army and there was a battle on the Watling street near the Anker river…battle on the Watling street near the Anker river…

Boudica’s uprisingBoudica’s uprising

The battle The battle of Watling of Watling StreetStreet

RomansRomans

BritainsBritains

CiviliansCivilians

Britons’ attackBritons’ attack

Romans’ attackRomans’ attack

Britons’ escapeBritons’ escape

• Romans:Romans:

15,000 soldiers15,000 soldiers

• Britons:Britons:

50,000 soldiers50,000 soldiers

BoBoudica’udica’s speechs speech

“Nothing is safe from Roman pride and arrogance. They will deface the sacred and will deflower our virgins. Win the battle or perish, that is what I, a woman, will do.”

(Tacitus, Annals, 14.35)

After Boudica’s deathAccording to Tacitus, Boudica poisoned herself after thedefeat; Cassius Dio instead says she fell sick and died, and was given a lavish burial.

Boudica’s history,was rediscoveredduring the Renais-sance and during the Victorian era.Boudica has sinceremained an impor-tant cultural sym-bol in the UnitedKingdom.

Bibliography

• Wikipedia, The free Encyclopedia

• Wikipedia, l’enciclopedia libera

• “Soldatini dell’Antica Roma” Collection, by “Fabbri Editori”