Section 9: Boudica's Rebellion (Part 3)

Question 1

iam Suetonio erant quarta decima legio cum vexillariis vicensimae et e proximidad auxiliares, decem ferme milia armatorum: contendere et acie congredi parat.

Answer 1

and now Suetonius had at his disposal the 14thleguib, with detachments of the 20th and auxiliaries from the neighbouring area, about 10,000 armed men; he prepared to march and to join battle.

Question 2

eligitque locum angustis faucibus et a tergo silvis clausum; sciebat enim nihil hostium esse nisi in fronte, et apertam esse planitiem sine metu insidiarum.

Answer 2

He picked a place closed off by a narrow defile and by woods to the rear; for he knew there were no enemy except in front of him; and an open plane gave him no fear of ambush.

Question 3

igitur legionarii instructi sunt frequentes ordinibus, levi armatura circumstante; equites conglobati pro cornibus adstiterubt.

Answer 3

therefore, the legionaries were drawn up crowded in their lines, with the lightly armed troops stationed around, while the calvary stood by masses together on the wings.

Question 4

at Britannorum copiar passim per catervas et turmas exultabant, tanya multitudo quanta non alias, et animo adeo feroci ut coniuges quoque testes victoriae secum traherent, plaustrisque imponerent quae ad extremam planitiem posuerant.

Answer 4

but the forces of the britons were rushing about wildly everywhere in groups of infantry and in troops of cavalry, an incredible number, and so fierce in spirit that they dragged their wives along with them also, as witnesses to their victory, and they put them in wagons which they had positioned at the edge of the plain.