The Works of Cornelius Tacitus. Vol. II

1793

De Beer Ec 1793 T

London: Printed for G.G.J. and J. Robinson

Boudica became Queen of the Iceni, a Celtic tribe, after her husband died in 60 AD. Under the command of the Roman general, Suetonius (b. 10 AD), all Icenian lands were consequently confiscated. A woman in charge was a ‘Roman’s worst nightmare’, so Boudica was publicly flogged, and her daughters were raped. Humiliated, Boudica sought revenge by amassing an army, and sacking the Roman stronghold of Colchester. She then made her way to London, razing Roman towns along the way. In London, Boudica met with Suetonius and his army. The Roman ‘killing-machine’ went into action, and the Celts were annihilated. Here is Tacitus’s account (c.100 AD) of Boudica’s pre-battle speech. The Roman historian is probably putting words in her mouth.