The revenge of Boudica
Characters:
Theme: The conquest and romanisation
Competencies
Competence in Linguistic Communication
Personal, social and learning to learn competence
Competence in cultural awareness and expressions
Subjects and year by Educational System
Spain > Latin > 4th ESO > The present of the Latin civilization
Enunciation
Answer the following questions after having watched the video about Boudica, queen of the Iceni, a Celtic tribe in Britain allied with the Romans, against whom she rebelled to defend the rights of her daughters to reign. In response, the Romans devastated the land, enslaved part of its population and seized all their property, responding brutally.
Video: Ocho días que marcaron la historia de Roma: 5- La venganza de Boudica, (retrieved on 19-05-2021).
Spanish version: https://www.documaniatv.com/historia/ocho-dias-que-marcaron-la-historia-de-roma-5-la-venganza-de-boudica-video_314d11d90.html
English version: https://ihavenotv.com/boudicas-revenge-eight-days-that-made-rome
a.- Where and when do the facts mentioned on this documentary happen? Who were the emperors of Rome by then?
b.-What event provoked an unprecedented revolt of the tribes of Britain against the Roman Empire?
c.- “In order to have control of the vast empire […] Rome used the method of the carrot and the stick”. Explain this expression in the context of the video.
Who was Cartimandua?
e.- What important tribe, allied with the Roman, was one of the first to join Boudica? Why?
f.- What cities did they destroy and burn?
g.- How did Boudica end up?
h.- Reflect on what it meant for Britain the fact that it was conquered and romanised.
Observations and context
The Celts understood the nature of women as equals with their own characteristics; therefore, among them there was no problem for a woman to take the place of leader, as long as it was for the benefit and help of the community; an idea far removed from the Roman patriarchal view of the role of women.
The figure of Boudica as a warrior queen can be compared with other Iron Age females who have been found buried with a rich trousseau and accompanied by their chariot, such as the Lady of Vix (-500 to -400) or the Lady of the Wetwang Chariot (c. -300 to -200), in Yorkshire, among others. Another Celtic chieftain contemporary to her was Cartimandua (of the Brigantes) who followed the opposite strategy and allied herself with the Romans. As a Celtic prophetess and priestess of the war goddess Andraste we can compare her to Veleda (c. 50-80) or Ganna (c. 60-100).
Outside the Celtic sphere, women such as Tomiris (6th century BC), Artemisia of Caria (5th century BC), Cleopatra (1st century BC) and Zenobia of Palmyra (3rd century AD), from different cultures and periods, led armies and fought with great courage and bravery.
The activity consists of watching a video-documentary that the teacher has sent to the students through the online classroom with a series of questions related to the content of the video. The students will send back their answers to their teacher through the same channel. Then a brainstorm can take place in the classroom.
This activity could be undertaken in the classroom with all the students, divided at convenience to answer the questions about the documentary. For the activity, the tool Zaption or the app Kahoot can be used.
Other documentaries to finish the unit:
- “Boudica la reina guerrera” - Canal Historia - Documental de la Britania Romana, (retrieved on 19/05/2021), <https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=934646413672486>
- “Boudica - La Reina Celta”, (retrieved on 19/05/2021), <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYKKuCl9aMw>
Description
The activity consists of watching a documentary video with a series of questions related to its content.