Factors That Contributed To Boudicca's Revolt Against Roman Rule

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Analyse the factors that contributed to Boudicca’s revolt against Roman rule. The ruthless actions of the Romans could be the main contributor to Boudicca’s revolt against Roman rule. The betrayal of the Iceni by the Romans who disregarded any former alliances was likely the spark that initiated the revolt. However the endless cruel treatment of the Celtic people since the Roman conquest was what caused the revolt to grow and strengthen. Boudicca’s desire for a revolt could have been further provoked by the advantageous timing of events. With a strong sense of injustice and bravery, the people of Celtic Britain rebelled against the Romans. The Romans dismissed their alliance with the Iceni tribe losing the fragile trust of the Iceni people …show more content…

The Celts were seen as “accursed wretches..” (Cassius Dio, Roman History), conveying their dislike for the Celts, thus cruel treatment would have been likely. According to Paul R. Sealey’s Boudican Revolt against Rome, a ditch in Colchester legionary fortress provided evidence of brutal treatment towards local Trinovantian people, six human skulls were found, “…one had a deep gash from a sword, another had a fracture caused by blunt instrument,,,”. The Romans also seized large scales of land from the tribes, causing the Celts to be outraged. Due to their alliance, people of the Iceni tribe were “expected to surrender quotas of young men to serve in the auxiliary regiments of the Roman army” (The Boudican Revolt against Rome, Paul R. Sealey 1997). This was cause for further hatred towards to Romans and was a main factor that contributed to the motivation of many of the Celtic soldiers that joined the revolt. Already revolts had been occurring such as the revolt initiated by the disarmament order by the Roman governor, Scapula in 47. Boudicca was able to gather as many as 230 000 soldiers due to the build up of resentment over a long period of harsh Roman