Topic 3: Resistance to Roman rule

Question 1

Resistence to invasion in 43

Answer 1

• SUETONIUS - Vespasian defeated the Bitons 30 times.
• ARCH OF CLAUDIUS - “Conquered without any loss”.
• Archeological soirces support the fact that the british resistence was spirite3d but inferior.
• Britons had no army so relied on guerilla style warfare to lure the romans into more favouable terrriory.
• Celtic warfare included the use of chariots but littlwe to no armour, just the nobles had a sheild but most just had a long spear.
• The Iceni tribe revolted in 47 due to their weapons being taken away under Scapula.
• TACITUS ANNALS - Shows the romans provolked alot of revolts.

Question 2

Caratacus

Answer 2

• TACITUS ANNALS - Caratacus had less troops but he had knowledge of the area which aided him and the silures was a “naturslly war-like tribe.”
• TACITUS - Portrays him as strong and powerful and vey known among Roman leaders.
• TACITUS - “It was a famous victory, his wife and daughters were taken prisoners and his brothers gave themselves up.”
• He turned to the Brigantes for help but Cartimandua gave him up to gain favour with the Romans as a client-kingdom.
• TACITUS - Caratacus’ speech portrays Claudius as a merciful and powerful person, who is merciful and the superiority of Rome.
• The source implies Claudius is more confident as a ruler as he gave mercy which iswuite uncommon.
• TACITUS - Portrays Gallus as “merely holding what his predesessors had won”, but we know Gallus asserted Roman control in Wales through consolidation.

Question 3

Boudiccan revolt - causes and course.

Answer 3

• After her husband died the iceni tibe was left to his daughters so the Romans took away their wealth and plundered to keep it pro-Roman.
• Boudicca was whipped and her daughters raped to humiliate the tribe and undermine legitimacy.
• TACITUS ANNALS - Sparked ebellion and joined by Trinovantes.
• Rebellion of AD 60, significant as it combined more than one tribe , Roman ocntrol was still new, and Paulinus occupied forces at Mona.
• TACITUS ANNALS - She first seiged Colchester and burned down the temple of Clauius which is suppoted by alrcheological evidence.
• TACITUS ANNALS - As a result, all south east england was open to her and she defeated the ninth legion who was sent down from Mona.
• TACITUS ANNALS - He tells us that she went on to attack London and st Albans, where he claims 70,000 Romans were killed.

Question 4

Boudicca - course pt 2.

Answer 4

• Both Tacitus and Dio give accounts of Paulinus’ speech, which are arguably unreliable as they are writing afte the battle and would want t make the Romans looks good.
• DIO ROMAN HISTORY - Boudicca became ill and died while TACITUS says she poisoned herself like a coward.
• With her death the rebellion came to an end, but had a deep impact: Shows roman power to be weaker, a numbe rof Roman settlements destroyed, Roman pride wounded, and the next governmers had to consolidate rather than expand.
• Both sources talk about the formations the Romans usedwhile the Britons had no tactics and didnt know how to fight in unison.
• DIO says that equal spirit was showed on both sides while TACITUS portrays Britons as weak.
• TACITUS ANNALS - Presented differently as women couldnt be seen as powerful let alone leading othes in battle.
• DIO - talks about what she looks like and is more fair.

Question 5

Calgacus

TACITUS AGRICOLA

Answer 5

• He led the Caledonians against Agricola at Mons Graupius and had 30,000 men.
• He inspired the men ti fight by talking about how their children and wives would become slaves, they had nothing to give so would be killed, and the gods were on their side.
• The briitsh moved towards the romans who were fretting to get into battle.
• The Batavi and two auxillaries of Tungri ked the attack.
• Britons lost as they couldnt make use of their chaiots and their swords werent well fitted for close combat.
• After AD 83 full scale resistance stopped but small riads were still carried out.