What did Tacitus write about Boudica and how reliable is his account?
Tacitus wrote his Agricola and Annals years after the rebellion occurred in 60 or 61 AD. His father-in-law Gnaeus Julius Agricola served as a tribune under Suetonius Paulinus during that period, giving Tacitus access to eyewitness testimony regarding the events of 60 or 61 AD.
Why did Prasutagus leave his kingdom jointly to his daughters and the Roman emperor Nero upon his death?
Prasutagus ruled as king over the Iceni tribe in what is now Norfolk when he left his kingdom jointly to his daughters and the Roman emperor Nero upon his death. Catus Decianus served as procurator of Britain to secure the Iceni lands for Rome but the Romans ignored the will and absorbed the kingdom into Britannia province.
How did Cassius Dio describe the causes of the rebellion led by Boudica compared to Tacitus?
Cassius Dio began writing his history of Rome about 140 years after Boudica died and provides greater detail than Tacitus but often includes fictitious elements. He mentions the recalling of loans given to Britons by Seneca and notes Boudica's own entreaties regarding the situation while Tacitus detailed pillaging of the countryside following Prasutagus death.
What happened at Camulodunum and Londinium during the revolt of Queen of the British Iceni tribe?
The rebels targeted Camulodunum which is modern Colchester first where a Roman temple stood there at great expense to the local population. Suetonius Paulinus reached the town before Boudicas army but decided to abandon it so the rebels burned Londinium after torturing and killing everyone who remained.
How did ancient sources disagree on how Boudica died shortly afterwards?
Ancient sources disagree on how Boudica died shortly afterwards because Tacitus claims she poisoned herself while Dio says she fell sick and received a lavish burial. These accounts are not necessarily mutually exclusive regarding her end despite Nero considering withdrawing all imperial forces from Britain following the crisis.
Who executed the statue Boadicea and Her Daughters between 1856 and 1871 and what does it feature?
Thomas Thornycroft executed the statue Boadicea and Her Daughters between 1856 and 1871 with Prince Albert lending horses for use as models during its creation. The sculpture was cast in 1896 and positioned on Victoria Embankment next to Westminster Bridge in 1902 and features anachronistic scythes on wheel axles of her war chariot.