A Mothers Day Post – Boudica
Boudica was one of the earliest known ‘Mama Grizzly’ type mothers. Sarah Palin may own the current title, but Boudica was a warrior as well.
From Wikipedia – other sources agree:
Boudica’s husband Prasutagus, ruler of the Iceni tribe who had ruled as a nominally independent ally of Rome, left his kingdom jointly to his daughters and the Roman Emperor in his will. However, when he died, his will was ignored. The kingdom was annexed as if conquered, Boudica was flogged and her daughters raped, and Roman financiers called in their loans.
She didn’t win, but she took on the Imperial Roman super power in Britain. There’s a mythos surrounding her that is of no small note, but she stood up for herself and her youngins… Any better definition of MOTHER?
Category: Politics
Great post. According to contemporary accounts, her daughters were raped IN FRONT of her.
Now, her big claim to fame is not just the revolt, but how she managed to destroy one legion, several towns and cities and scare the living begeebus out of the whole Roman Empire.
Yeah Tim #1… all of that as well, but I figured those interested would dig into it [grin].
Aside: The Celts also had a different perspective on women and power. There’s some speculation that that had an impact on how the Romans viewed them?
The story of Boudicca is one of my faves, although I favor the Roman side. the murder and bloodshed by Boudiccas rabble far out-did any crimes she herself had suffered. From a strictly military standpoint, Suetonius Paulinus and the ass kicking he gave the Boudicca and the Celts at the Battle of Watling Street is a lesson in leadership, bravery and discipline that has stuck with me since I first heard this story
Imperial Governor by George Shipway…..read it. It’s a real page turner.
Billy Bob #3: I didn’t suggest she was saint, just a mother on mothers day.