Boudicca (backdated)
A historical figure that I find interesting is Boudicca, queen of the Iceni tribe.
Info on Boudicca
I remember learning about her in an English Lit class at Penn State. It's great when your Literature instructor is also the rare books librarian. More on that teacher, Mr. Mann, at a later time. Something that still brings a smile to my face is him discussing a book that included information about her. The name of the author slips my mind at present, but next to the name Boudicca, the editor had written "this is sometimes spelled Boadicea," to which the author responded in the manuscript returned to the editor, "not by me."
I keep hearing how few female historical role models there are. It's a crock, people need to look harder. Boudicca was a rebellious creature and ended up committing suicide; she didn't want to give the Romans the satisfaction of parading her and her daughters through the streets and killing them. Despite the eventual defeat of her troops, she gave them a fight they would never forget. Hadrian's Wall is a testament to that.
"She was huge of frame, terrifying of aspect, and with a harsh voice. A great mass of bright red hair fell to her knees: she wore a twisted torc, and a tunic of many colours, over which was a thick mantle, fastened by a brooch. Now she grasped a spear, to strike fear into all who watched her."
Dio Cassius
Info on Boudicca
I remember learning about her in an English Lit class at Penn State. It's great when your Literature instructor is also the rare books librarian. More on that teacher, Mr. Mann, at a later time. Something that still brings a smile to my face is him discussing a book that included information about her. The name of the author slips my mind at present, but next to the name Boudicca, the editor had written "this is sometimes spelled Boadicea," to which the author responded in the manuscript returned to the editor, "not by me."
I keep hearing how few female historical role models there are. It's a crock, people need to look harder. Boudicca was a rebellious creature and ended up committing suicide; she didn't want to give the Romans the satisfaction of parading her and her daughters through the streets and killing them. Despite the eventual defeat of her troops, she gave them a fight they would never forget. Hadrian's Wall is a testament to that.
"She was huge of frame, terrifying of aspect, and with a harsh voice. A great mass of bright red hair fell to her knees: she wore a twisted torc, and a tunic of many colours, over which was a thick mantle, fastened by a brooch. Now she grasped a spear, to strike fear into all who watched her."
Dio Cassius