12.3 Boudica, Last Queen of the Iceni

Her Half of History

Rome stole her country, publicly flogged her, and raped her daughters. The woman known variously as Boudica, Boudicca, Boadicea, Bonducca, and a dozen other variations fought back with everything she had. This episode includes:

• How Rome came to the isle of Britain
• How the Icenian king split his country between Rome and his daughters
• How Rome wouldn't take half for an answer
• How the Icenian queen gathered an army and burned three successive cities to the ground
• How Rome won the last battle and the Iceni ceased to exist
• How Boudica resurfaced as a symbol of British nationalism, female power, and female rage

Visit the website (herhalfofhistory.com) for sources, transcripts, and pictures.

Support the show on my Patreon page for bonus episodes, polls, and a general feeling of self-satisfaction. Or make a one-time donation on Buy Me a Coffee.

Join Into History (intohistory.com/herhalfofhistory/) for a community of ad-free history podcasts plus bonus content.

Visit Evergreen Podcasts to listen to more great shows.

Follow me on Twitter (X) as @her_half. Or on Facebook or Instagram as Her Half of History.

Feature image by Paul Walter - Boudica statue, Westminster, CC BY 2.0

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices