BOUDICA
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Issue 88 2020
Women Of Norfolk
Boudica (d. circa 60AD) There is little known about both Boudica’s time and place of birth, however, it is agreed upon that she would have been born somewhere in Norfolk.
Within history, there have been many versions of her name, including ‘Boudica’, ‘Boudicca’, ‘Boadicea’ and the Welsh ‘Buddug’. In the Agricola, Tacitus refers to her by the name ‘Boudicca’.
The same could be said about her childhood. What is known about her comes from two texts, that we know of: the “Agricola” by the Roman historian Tacitus (c.56AD - c.120AD) and the epitome by Roman statesman and historian Cassius Dio (c.155AD - c.235AD).
Documentation of her life begins with her marriage to Prasutagus, who was the king of the Iceni (a branch of the Celtic tribes that inhabited Norfolk and parts of Suffolk). Boudica bore Prasutagus two daughters, whose names were never recorded. With her husband, Boudica ruled as an independent ally of Rome; which allowed the Iceni to enjoy a form of liberty not experienced by the other British tribes. However, this relationship dissolved on the death of Prasutagus, with the Romans
It was recorded by Dio that Boudica was descendant of royalty and a tall beauty with tawny hair that hung below her waist, a piercing stare and a harsh voice.
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