BOUDICCA ESSAY
Introduction
There are several issues with Boudicca’s existence and actions that must be known about trusted authors and their work. These three versions of Revolt and its leader, Boudicca is all we have in written form. The Celtics did not write anything down in this period that is available for us to read today, and no information from them about this event is left for historians to pick over. This has created a new layer of debate around her legend being more powerful than her actions.
Body
Issues with primary sources:
Relying on the primary sources regarding Boudicca and the revolt can be considered as unreliable due to limited and lack of evidence. First of all, there only exist three sources mentioning about the uprising, where two of them are written by the same author (Tacitus). Tactitus Furthermore, Dio Cassius, another Roman historian who wrote of an account of the Iceni queen and the revolt she led. Some of the issues with his writing is that he first if all wrote it 100 years after the occurrence, as well as that he seems to be heavily influenced by Tacitus writing. It’s also worthy to mention that Cassius work only survived in epitome.
Archaeology evidence seems to be appropriate to include since these elements are considered under primary sources. At first the three silver coins (Iron Age coins) which were found at Fison Way, Thetfort Norfolk, was considered to represent the palace of Boudicca by some. But however, after more accurate discovery has been discovered to represent the king instead. Overall, the primary sources are small, and archaeology has only given so much so far.
Issues with secondary sources:
Secondary sources give rise to a problem when they realize that they basically rest on the mentioned primary sources. There are now many texts that discuss the Celts and the existence of Boudicca. One problem that is found in some of these secondary sources was that the authors concluded Boudicca based on Celtic law. The problem with these is the statutes used by these authors, either Irish statutes are written mainly by Christian cheerful. These texts are centuries removed from the Boudicca period and are undoubtedly fainted by later influences on the island from Christianity, invading cultures and unknown elements. There can be some evidence of what the Celtic customs were like during Boudicca's time left in these statutes, but to cover what they can be is difficult, if not impossible.
Boudicca – Person
Boudicca (also known as Boadicea and Boudica) was the Queen of the Iceni´s, where she led the Iceni and allies into a rebellion against the Romans in year 61. Her motive chooses to avenge and stand in the lead for an uprising. There are numerous motives for the uprising. Such as her husband/king (Prasutageus) of the Iceni tribe died, and left all his wealth to his daughters, and the emperor Nero, to try to win imperial protection for his family. Except it all ended up with the Romans humiliating his family and tribesmen by taking their weapons and steering their identity. Later Boudicca and her two daughters got punished by the Romans, where her daughters also ended up in being raped. As well as the female roles were the reverse of those associated with Roman women. Which involved rights as having the ability to experience liberties, rights, and positions in society.
Soon she will be followed not only by the ices but also by many of the other tribes who have been ruined by Rome and who over the years have become transformed into second-class people or to slaves. Reasoning for Boudicca in being followed could be due to what Scott, J. 1975, remarks: “What she (Rome) had to offer in culture, administration, standard of living … would have been missed or at least postponed … Put another way, Rome was a civilisation, Britain a collection of barbaric tribes. The influence of Rome must have been progressive … Boudicca was … a retrogressive influence in slowing down Romanisation. “
She has been described by a chronologist as "very tall and terrifying, with sharp eyes and strict voice"ref. She is said to have had brownish or red hair, which reached down to the hips. She had a gold jewel around her neck, and she was always wearing a multi-coloured tunic over which she had a thick coat. Later she would be constantly portrayed with a spear or a sword in hand. She was depicted as a wild and beautiful war queen, in a way that probably says more about the artists' fantasies than about reality.
Legend of Boudicca
Boudicca’s reputation or legacy has been a contentious issue amongst historians. Her legacy clouded by changing myths and the limitation of archaeological or Celtic-Written evidence has left history up to the historians. Where its being discussed whether the legend of Boudicca is more powerful than her actions itself. However, there is evidence to suggest her power throughout multiple sources that was considered a threat to the Briton Romans as a result of her actions. Through her actions, her motives were fuel by resulting in her attack on the Romans.
The strengthening regarding her legend has been used in various occasions, such as George Gale´s cartoon of Margaret Thatcher, representation as Boudicca (The Daily Telegraph of 11 June, 1987) This clearly indicates that the legend if Boudicca was used as an influential symbol for women’s right, due to their faith in her actions. Additionally, Dora Montefiore, who was a feminist, was leading a Suffragist meeting for the Women´s social and political union in 1906. Where she recalled that this was one of her best meetings due to its being held near to the statue of Boudicca, in a prohibited part of London. It has for a long while been one of her aspirations to hold a meeting near there. As for her strongly attitude for the figure of Boudicca.
Conclusion
After all, due to the several issues with Boudicca and her actions. The historians have been discussing whether the primary sources and archaeological evidence are reliable. However, on the other hand her legend has become a statue of figure and a symbol for women´s power, including feminism. Which in the end could have impacted her actions being overlooked by her legend? This helps to strengthen and create a form of a character, which in the end, a lot of people tends to look up to.