Boudican revolt
Roman Britain
What happened
Boudica, queen of the Iceni, led the Iceni, the Trinovantes and other Britons against the Roman governor Gaius Suetonius Paulinus. When the Iceni king Prasutagus died, his will was ignored, and the Romans seized land and mistreated his family. His widow Boudica led a revolt while the governor was away on the island of Mona, off the coast of Wales. The rebels destroyed the Roman towns of Camulodunum (Colchester), Londinium (London) and Verulamium (St Albans). Paulinus, with a smaller army, then defeated the Britons in a final battle. Its location is not known.
Why it matters
Result: Roman victory. Leaders: Gaius Suetonius Paulinus against Boudica. Why it matters: The defeat ended resistance to Roman rule in most of the southern half of Britain, a period that lasted until 410 CE. A statue of Boudica can be found in Westminster, London.
What came next
Emperor Nero replaced Paulinus with a more conciliatory governor, Publius Petronius Turpilianus, fearing his actions would provoke more rebellion. Ancient writers disagree about how Boudica's story ended.
Did you know?
Archaeologists digging in Colchester, London and St Albans find a dark burnt layer from the revolt, called the Boudican Destruction Horizon.
Timeline
- 43 CERome invades south-eastern Britain.
- c. 60 CEKing Prasutagus dies and his will is ignored.
- 60 or 61 CEBoudica's forces destroy Camulodunum, then Londinium and Verulamium.
- 60 or 61 CEPaulinus defeats the Britons in a final battle.
- 410 CEThe period of Roman rule in Britain ends.