boudiccasrevolt

The Revolt of the Iceni: 

The Revolt of the Iceni Queen Boudicca’s revenge

60 CE. Success for the Romans: 

60 CE. Success for the Romans C Suetonius Paullinus, governor of Rome was in Anglesey, an important Druidical centre If he was victorious here he would have stamped out most of those who rebelled against Rome The Romans disliked the human sacrifice practised by the Druids

Slide3: 

Black-clad females, long-haired and brandishing torches, stood on the beach with the men Behind stood the Druids calling down magic upon the approaching Roman army The Romans cut them down They destroyed the sacred groves (which were red with the blood of Roman prisoners) They began to construct a fort

Rebellion!: 

Rebellion! News was brought of a rebellion by Boudicca, queen of the Iceni Prasutagus, the king, had died The Romans intended to take over his territory Slaves and soldiers arrived to take over the property They were not supervised as the governor was far away in Wales

Would you put up with this?: 

Would you put up with this? Boudicca, the queen, was flogged (whipped) Her daughters were attacked and abused The important people in the tribe were badly treated and arrested

And yet more ill-treatment!: 

And yet more ill-treatment! The colonists at Camulodunum took the Iceni’s land for themselves The military ignored this so the Iceni got no help Taxes imposed on the tribes by the Romans were high and the other tribes sympathised with the Iceni and supported them

Attack!: 

Attack! The Iceni gathered together, with Boudicca as their leader They headed for Colchester, which was undefended and full of retired soldiers The town was burnt and the people retreated to the temple where they withstood the rebels for two days

Disaster!: 

Disaster! Petillius Cerialis, legate of the 9th Legion rushed south to the rescue The legion was ambushed His infantry was massacred He had to retreat with his cavalry to his fort The deputy governor of Britannia retreated to Gaul

Paullinus to the rescue!: 

Paullinus to the rescue! If Paullinus brought all of his soldiers down from Wales it would have taken two weeks He came ahead with the cavalry In three days he covered 400 km The 2nd Legion refused to come up from Exeter to help!

Londinium turns to ashes: 

Londinium turns to ashes When Suetonius Paullinus reached London he realised that he did not have enough troops to defend it He left it to defend itself Those who could march went with him The rest remained behind to die The same happened at Verulamium (St Albans)

Boudicca, who?: 

Boudicca, who? Cassius Dio, a Roman, described Boudicca: She was very tall. Her eyes seemed to stab you, her voice was harsh and loud. Her thick, reddish-brown hair hung down below her waist. She always wore a great golden torc around her neck, and a flowing tartan cloak, fastened with a brooch.

Boudicca, victorious: 

Boudicca, victorious Boudicca fell on Londinium and reduced it to ashes Today archaeologists find the thick layer of ashes when they dig in London Boudicca advanced on Verulamium and reduced that to ashes A Roman, Tacitus, writes that 70 000 died in the three towns (Camulodunum, Londinium, Verulamium)

Disaster or success?: 

Disaster or success? The rest of Paullinus’ army arrived He had 10 000 men The Iceni, with the support of other tribes had 230 000 men! Paullinus turned to fight He chose a site surrounded by woods and hills with an open plain in front

Boudicca’s speech (1): 

Boudicca’s speech (1) We British are used to women commanders in war I am descended from mighty men But now I am not fighting for my kingdom and wealth I am fighting as an ordinary person for my lost freedom, my bruised body, and my abused daughters The Roman division which dared to fight is annihilated The others cower in their camps, or watch for a chance to escape

Boudicca’s speech (2): 

Boudicca’s speech (2) They will never face even the din and roar of all our thousands Let alone the shock of our onslaught Consider how many of you are fighting and why You will win this battle, or perish That is what I, a woman, plan to do Let the men live in slavery if they will

Victory!: 

Victory! The Romans won! (10 000 against 230 000) They had better weapons They were better disciplined (advancing in ranks), using military tactics (testudo) The Iceni had drawn up their wagons (with their women on) behind them and were trapped when the Romans advanced 80 000 Britons died, only 400 Romans

The aftermath: 

The aftermath Boudicca killed herself, rather than surrender to the Romans The commander of the 2nd Legion (that refused to come) fell on his sword The army laid waste to the territory of the Iceni Forts were built in their territory and extra soldiers were drafted in