The ancient rebel leader Boudica has become an icon in her native Britain. She is a symbol of resistance and female power. However, getting a sense of her true character is nearly impossible when examining the historical sources. Roman historians wrote elaborate speeches that they claimed she delivered to rapt audiences. But perhaps these speeches tell us more about the Roman authors than they do about the Celtic war leader. Tune in and find out how ancient Eminem verses, Heart of Darkness, and superhero origin stories all play a role in the story. 

Works Cited

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Cocceianus, Cassius Dio, et al. Dio’s Roman History. Harvard University Press, 1990.

Collingridge, Vanessa. Boudica: the Life and Legends of Britain’s Warrior Queen. Overlook Press, 2006.

Gillespie, Caitlin [VNV]. Boudica: Warrior Woman of Roman Britain. Oxford University Press, 2020.

Kightly, Charles. Folk Heroes of Britain. Thames & Hudson, 1982.

Madsen, Jesper Majbom. Cassius Dio. Bloomsbury Academic, 2020.

Mellor, Ronald. Tacitus’ Annals. Oxford University Press, 2011.

Rankin, H. D. Celts and the Classical World. Routledge, 1998.

Tacticus. Tacitus: Agricola. Cambridge University Press, 2014.

Webster, Graham. Boudica: the British Revolt Agains Rome AD 60. Batsford, 1993.

Wood, Scott. “Is Boudica Buried In London?” Londonist, 24 Aug. 2016, londonist.com/2016/08/is-boudica-buried-in-london.