New
New
Year 4

Boudica's rebellion against Roman rule

I can describe the causes and events of Boudica's rebellion.

New
New
Year 4

Boudica's rebellion against Roman rule

I can describe the causes and events of Boudica's rebellion.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Despite the Ancient Romans' initial success in the south, other British Celts resisted the further Roman campaigns.
  2. While some kings, like Caratacus, were crushed, others chose to become client rulers to avoid bloodshed.
  3. Boudica was the queen of the Iceni tribe in East Anglia; she rebelled and destroyed Colchester and London.
  4. Boudica united with other tribes in southern England and outnumbered the Ancient Roman Legions that marched to meet her.
  5. Despite her numerical advantage, Boudica's army was defeated by superior Ancient Roman tactics and her rebellion ended.

Keywords

  • Celtic - the Celtic people were the tribes who lived in Britain before the Ancient Romans arrived

  • Rebellion - a rebellion is when people rise up against those who are ruling them

  • Client ruler - a client ruler is a king or queen who promised to obey the Ancient Roman Emperor

  • Boudica - Boudica was the queen of the Celtic Iceni tribe

Common misconception

Pupils may think that Caratacus' resistance and Boudica's rebellion took place at the same time.

Remind pupils that roughly 20 years had passed since Caratacus' defeat when Boudica rebelled.

Emphasise to pupils that Boudica's rebellion took place at a time when not all of Britain had been conquered by the Ancient Romans, although their presence in the south was now firmly established.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
When did Claudius become the Roman Emperor?
43 CE
Correct answer: 41 CE
55 BCE
27 BCE
Q2.
Why did Claudius feel he needed to prove his strength?
his father was a successful emperor
he wanted to live in a new place
he promised his wife new land
Correct answer: weak emperors could be overthrown or murdered
Q3.
Where did Claudius decide to invade?
Gaul
Egypt
Correct answer: Britannia
Q4.
What was a legionary?
Correct answer: a professional Roman soldier
a British warrior tribe
a fierce Carthaginian leader
a member of the Roman senate
Q5.
The Roman army built to protect their armies in Britain
Correct Answer: forts
Q6.
Which of these helped the Romans defeat the Celts quickly?
they paid money to the Celts
Correct answer: the Roman armies used clever tactics
the disorganisation of the Celtic armies
Celtic warriors were not very experienced fighters

6 Questions

Q1.
Who ordered the invasion of Britain in 43 CE?
Augustus
Correct answer: Claudius
Julius Caesar
Romulus
Q2.
Celtic leaders had two choices after the Roman invasion: fight against Roman rule or make with the Romans.
Correct Answer: peace
Q3.
Choose two correct answers. The Celts were fed up with the Romans because:
Correct answer: they were forced to pay taxes.
Correct answer: they had to follow Roman rule.
the Romans provided new infrastructure.
the Romans stole their good quality weapons.
Q4.
Boudica was queen of a tribe called the Iceni.
Correct Answer: Celtic, celtic
Q5.
What happened at Camulodunum?
the Romans defeated Boudica
Correct answer: Boudica attacked the town and burnt it to the ground before heading to Londinium
Boudica attacked this town after she had destroyed Londinium
Boudica poisoned herself
Q6.
Why did Boudica lose her final battle against the Romans?
the Romans outnumbered her
the Romans ambushed her army and caught her by surprise
Correct answer: her army became trapped between their wagons and the Romans
Boudica's warriors were not well trained and ran away from the battle

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