Tacitus 1

Question 1

Bouddica curru filias parae se vehens, ut quamque nationem accesserat, solitum quidem Britannis feminarum ductu bellare testabatur,

Answer 1

Boudicca, carrying her daughters in front of her in a chariot, whenever she approached each tribe, declared that it was customary indeed for the Britons to make war under the leadership of women

Question 2

…sed tunc non ut tantis maioribus ortam regnum et opes, verum ut unam e vulgo libertatem amissam, confectum verberibus corpus, contrectatem filiarum pudicitiam ulcisci.

Answer 2

But on this occasion, (she) was not avenging the loss of (her) kingdom and wealth as one who was descended from such great ancestors, but, as one from the common people, (was avenging) the loss of her freedom, her body worn out by lashes and the chastity of her daughters which had been violated.

Question 3

Eo provectas Romanorum cupidines, ut corpora, ne senectam quidem aut virginitatem impollutam relinquant.

Answer 3

(She said that) the desires of the Romans had advanced to such an extent that they did not leave any bodies, not even old age or virginity, unpolluted.

Question 4

Adesse tamen deos iustae vindictae:

Answer 4

The Gods, however, were at hand to support just vengeance:

Question 5

… cecidise legionem, quae proelium ausa sit;

Answer 5

…the legion which had dared (to do) battle had been slain;

Question 6

…ceteros castris occultari aut fugamm circumspicere.

Answer 6

the rest were hiding themselves in camp or looking round for escape.

Question 7

Ne strepitum quidem et clamorem tot milium, nedum impetus et manus perlaturos:

Answer 7

They would not even withstand the din and shouting of so many thousands, much less attacks and hand to hand fighting:

Question 8

…si copias armatorum, si causas belli secum expenderent, vincendium illa acie vel cadendum esse,

Answer 8

…If they (the Britons) weighed up in their minds the forces of armed men, the causes of the war, they must conquer in that battle or be slain.

Question 9

Id mulieri destinatum: viverent viri et servierent.

Answer 9

That was what a woman had determined: let the men live and be slaves