Reading The story of Iceni Boudicca and the
Reading The story of Iceni, Boudicca and the Battle of Watling street as told by the Roman historian Tacitus
4 a day • Who was Boudicca? • Why did she rebel or fight against the Romans in Britain? • Why do we need to be careful when reading Tacitus’s writing about Boudicca? • What word did we find yesterday which means the lands of a queen or king?
A reminder: This is what we read yesterday Chapter 31 – from Tacitus’s Roman histories Prasutagus, the late king of the Icenians, in the course of a long reign had amassed considerable wealth. By his will he left the whole to his two daughters and the emperor in equal shares, conceiving, by that stroke of policy, that he should provide at once for the tranquillity of his kingdom and his family. The event was otherwise. His dominions were ravaged by the centurions; the slaves pillaged his house, and his effects were seized as lawful plunder. His wife, Boudicca, were attacked and the most illustrious of the Icenians were, by force, deprived of the positions which had been transmitted to them by their ancestors. The whole country was considered as a legacy bequeathed to the plunderers. The relations of the deceased king were reduced to slavery.
Today’s text: The Battle of Watling Street The engagement began. The Britons advanced with ferocity, and discharged their darts at random. In that instant, the Romans rushed forward in the form of a wedge. The auxiliaries followed with equal ardour. The cavalry, at the same time, bore down upon the enemy, and, with their pikes, overpowered all who dared to make a stand. The Britons betook themselves to flight, but their waggons in the rear obstructed their passage. A dreadful slaughter followed. The glory of the day was equal to the most splendid victory of ancient times. According to some writers, not less than eighty thousand Britons were put to the sword. The Romans lost about four hundred men, and the wounded did not exceed that number.
Answer these questions about the Battle of Watling Street. First paragraph 1. Which word means ‘battle’? 2. Which word means they fought in a fierce way? 3. Write down two words which are names of particular types of soldiers. 4. Which word tells us that the Britons were losing the battle? Second paragraph 1. Which word means the way was blocked? 2. Write down a synonym from the text which means awful. 3. Which two phrases mean someone has died? 4. How many people were killed altogether? 5. How does the author say Boudicca died?
- Slides: 5