boudicca, roman invasion, druids, ancient history 3test

Question 1

Who were the Celts, and when did they inhabit Britain?

Answer 1

The Celts were a collection of tribes in Iron Age Britain (approx. 800 BCE - 43 CE) known for their warrior society, metalwork, and distinct art.

Question 2

How was Celtic society structured?

Answer 2

Celtic society was tribal, led by chieftains, and divided into classes such as warriors, druids, and commoners.

Question 3

Who were the Druids in Celtic society?

Answer 3

Druids were the religious leaders, legal authorities, and educators among the Celts, playing a vital role in spiritual and community matters.

Question 4

What was the role of Druids in religious ceremonies?

Answer 4

Druids performed sacrifices, led rituals, and acted as intermediaries between the gods and the people. (Examples: Spiritual truth is found in nature. Honoring the divine gods/goddesses/beings. Human sacrifice)

Question 5

Why did the Romans see the Druids as a threat?

Answer 5

The Druids were influential in resisting Roman rule and were seen as the ideological leaders of Celtic resistance.

Question 6

Who were the Iceni?

Answer 6

The Iceni were a Celtic tribe in eastern Britain, known for their resistance against Roman rule.

Question 7

Who was the most famous leader of the Iceni?

Answer 7

Queen Boudicca, who led a major revolt against the Romans in 60-61 CE.

Question 8

When did the Romans first invade Britain?

Answer 8

The Romans first invaded Britain in 55-54 BCE under Julius Caesar but established a permanent presence in 43 CE under Emperor Claudius.

Question 9

What changes did the Romans bring to Britain?

Answer 9

The Romans introduced new infrastructure (roads, aqueducts), urban planning, Roman law, and a mix of cultures and religions. They introduced the “roman way of living life. This created a loss of traditional culture among celtic tribes.

Question 10

Why did Boudicca revolt against the Romans?

Answer 10

After the death of her husband, King Prasutagus, the Romans took possesion of Iceni territory, whipped/flogged Boudicca, and abused her daughters, sparking the revolt. (60-61 CE)

Question 11

What were the key events of Boudicca’s revolt?

Answer 11

Boudicca’s forces destroyed the Roman towns of Camulodunum (Colchester), Londinium (London), and Verulamium (St Albans) before being defeated.

Question 12

What was the outcome of Boudicca’s revolt?

Answer 12

The revolt was ultimately crushed by the Roman army, and Boudicca either took her own life or died shortly after to avoid capture. A source from Cassius Dio recalls that she fell ill.

Question 13

What materials did the Celts commonly use in their art and weaponry?

Answer 13

The Celts were skilled in metalwork, particularly with iron, which they used for weapons, and they created intricate jewelry using gold and bronze.

Question 14

How did Celtic tribes identify themselves?

Answer 14

Celtic tribes identified themselves through unique symbols, clothing, and hairstyles, such as the distinctive torc (a metal neck ring) worn by Celtic warriors.

Question 15

What were the main duties of a Druid besides religious ceremonies?

Answer 15

Druids were also judges, historians, and philosophers. They were responsible for preserving oral traditions and educating the youth of noble families.

Question 16

What evidence do we have of the Druids’ practices?

Answer 16

Most evidence comes from Roman writings, like those of Julius Caesar and Tacitus, as well as archaeological finds of ritual sites like stone circles.

Question 17

How did Roman roads impact Britain?

Answer 17

Roman roads improved trade, communication, and military movement across Britain, many of which still influence modern roadways.

Question 18

What tactics did Boudicca use during her revolt?

Answer 18

Boudicca employed scorched earth tactics, destroying Roman settlements and infrastructure, and relied on large-scale, mobile infantry forces.

Question 19

How did the Romans eventually defeat Boudicca’s army?

Answer 19

The Roman governor, Suetonius Paulinus, chose a narrow battlefield that limited the effectiveness of Boudicca’s larger, less disciplined forces, leading to a decisive Roman victory.

Question 20

The three city attacks?

Answer 20

Summer of 60 or 61 CE

Attack on Camulodunum (Colchester): Boudicca’s forces, numbering around 80,000, march on Camulodunum, the former capital of Roman Britain and a symbol of Roman oppression. The city is destroyed, and the Roman temple of Claudius is burned down.
Roman Response: Governor Suetonius Paulinus is campaigning in Wales, leaving the region vulnerable. A small Roman force sent to relieve the city is defeated.
60-61 CE

Sacking of Londinium (London): Boudicca turns her attention to Londinium, a key Roman commercial hub. Lacking sufficient troops, Suetonius decides to abandon the city. Boudicca’s forces destroy Londinium, killing many inhabitants and burning the city to the ground.
Attack on Verulamium (St Albans):

After Londinium, Boudicca’s army attacks Verulamium, another Romanized town. The town is looted and set ablaze, with significant loss of life.

Question 21

Where was the final battle?

Answer 21

**The Battle of Watling Street: Suetonius Paulinus **gathers his remaining forces, estimated at about 10,000 men. Despite being vastly outnumbered by Boudicca’s army, which could have been around 100,000, the Romans choose a narrow battlefield, likely near present-day Watling Street. The Roman tactics and discipline secure a decisive victory.

Question 22

Who led the Roman attack on the Island of Mona?

Answer 22

The assault was led by the Roman governor Suetonius Paulinus in 60 CE, who aimed to crush the Druidic influence and weaken the Celtic tribes’ resolve.

Question 23

What happened during the attack on Mona?

Answer 23

Suetonius’s forces, including Roman legions and auxiliary troops,crossed the Menai Strait to the island. They encountered a fierce Celtic defense, where warriors and Druidic priests, including women, performed rituals and cursed the Romans in an attempt to intimidate them.
Despite the dramatic display,the Romans used their disciplined battle tactics to defeat the defenders. The Druids were killed, and their sacred groves were destroyed.

Question 24

How did the attack on Mona relate to Boudicca’s revolt?

Answer 24

While Suetonius was engaged in the attack on Mona, Boudicca launched her revolt in the southeast. This caught the Romans off guard, as many of their forces were occupied in Wales. Suetonius had to quickly retreat from Mona to deal with Boudicca’s uprising.

Question 25

How long did the Roman occupation of Britain last?

Answer 25

The occupation lasted nearly 400 years, from 43 CE to 410 CE, when Roman legions withdrew due to troubles elsewhere in the empire.