1. THE BOUDICCAN REVOLT : A COMPARISON OF TACITUS AND DIO

2. Roman treatment of Iceni after Prasutagas death Seizing of kingdom
TACITUS (p.21-26)
DIO (p.35-38)
Causes of the revolt
Roman treatment of Iceni after Prasutagas death
Seizing of kingdom
Ill-treatment of Boudicca & daughters after death of Prasutagas.
Resentment of veterans by Trinovantes
Wealthy men had to pay for temple of Claudius
Catus had “ driven (the Britons) to war through his greed
Grants of money to Britons called in as loans by Catus
Seneca also called in loans made to Britons

3. “others who had not yet been crushed by servitude”
Tacitus
Dio
Tribes involved
Iceni
Trinovantes
“others who had not yet been crushed by servitude”

4. TACITUS (p.21-26)
DIO (p.35-38)
Signs and portents
Statue of victory fell down at Colchester
Hysterical women chanting of ‘impending doom’
Barbarian cries heard in Senate house
Wailing in the theatre
Image of city seen in Thames
Sea turned blood red
‘Corpses’ left on shore
Barbarians shouting & laughing in Senate house
Uproar and lamentation in the theatre
Houses seen in underwater in Thames

5. TACITUS (p.21-26)
DIO (p.35-38)
Description of Boudicca
Queen of the Iceni
Riding chariot
“Woman of the British royal family”
“Uncommon intelligence for a woman”
Tall and grim
Gaze penetrating, voice harsh
Long auburn hair
Gold torque and patterned cloak
Riding in chariot

6. TACITUS (p.21-26)
DIO (p.35-38)
Effects of revolt
Colchester, London, St.Albans destroyed
70,000 Roman citizens & allies died
2 cities sacked
80,000 Romans & allies died
Rebel forces
120,000
Then 230,000!

7. TACITUS (p.21-26)
DIO (p.35-38)
Roman actions
Decianus Catus sent 200 men to Colchester
9th Legion to aid; defeated by rebels
Suetonius to London; abandoned city
Met up with army, decided to fight.
Suetonius back from Anglesey
Forced to fight by lack of corn

8. Avenging lost liberty + violation of daughters
TACITUS (p.21-26)
DIO (p.35-38)
Boudicca’s speech
Avenging lost liberty + violation of daughters
Refers to “the lusts of the Romans”
“The gods are at hand with a just revenge”
Some taken in by Romans’ “tempting promises”
Difference between freedom and slavery
Shameful and humiliating treatment
Taxes
Suetonius’ speech
Britons beaten by Romans many times
Reference to Romans as Britons’ conquerors
Greater glory if small force wins
Advice on fighting methods
Disgrace if recent gains now lost
Already won against greater odds
Britons’ enthusiasm “not supported by arms or training”
Belittles capture of cities.

9. TACITUS (p.21-26) DIO (p.35-38) Course of final battle
TACITUS (p.21-26)
DIO (p.35-38)
Course of final battle
Narrow valley, wood to rear
Legions in centre, auxiliary infantry, then cavalry on wings
Britons “moving excitedly all over the place”
Legions threw javelins
Charged in wedge formation + auxiliaries
Britons driven back onto carts around battlefield
Women & baggage animals killed
‘Some say’ 80,000 Britons died
Roman casualties about 400
Suetonius divided army into three; fight on several fronts at once
Romans advanced to javelin range, then charged
Fighting cavalry v cavalry; Roman archers v British chariots etc
Romans won. Many Britons killed beside chariots & near wood, many taken alive.

10. TACITUS (p.21-26)
DIO (p.35-38)
Aftermath
Boudicca took poison
Poenius Postumus “fell on his sword”
Army replenished
Suetonius treats Britons harshly; replaced as governor
Boudicca “became ill & died”