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Calling all armchair generals! Boudica's Last Stand.
I received my copy of Birgitta Hoffmann's book today and have read the chapter on the revolt. The following are few random points that struck me (others may pick out different details):

1. She emphasises that we do not know the timescale of the revolt or how long elapsed between the various events. She suggests that the sacking of Colchester may have taken some time and that, as fragments of Claudius' equestrian statue have been found in two places in East Anglia, some at least of the rebels may have had time to return home.

2. She speaks of Paulinus returning to London without the army. However, this is in the context of his receiving news of the revolt while the attack on Anglesey was in the mopping-up stage and perhaps implies, although she does not say so in terms, that this was not a 'cavalry dash' but Paulinus returning as a matter of course, having satisfied himself that the campaign was over and that his presence was no longer required.

3. She expresses some doubt that the rebel army operated as a single unit, describing this as "at best a good guess".

4. She points out that there is little evidence of destruction at Verulamium and quotes the excavator as suggesting that, at the time, it was "still very much an emerging town" with "comparatively little to destroy in terms of 'Roman' buildings". This may be why both Suetonius and Dio refer to only two towns being destroyed (this is my thought, not hers).

5. In considering the location of the final battle, she concludes that the literary evidence could support both the 'Western' and 'Watling Street' scenarios. In support of the former, she cites those who suggest that, if Paulinus was still hoping to link up with the Second Legion, he would go in that direction, which might place the battle in the area of Staines or Silchester, both of which have produced evidence of burning. In support of the latter, she mentions that Paulinus was in search of further troops, most of whom were still coming back from Wales, and the suggestion that the British army was last seen at Verulamium. She comments, " . . . in the absence of any firmly identified traces of the uprising or the battle at either location, an open mind may well be a valuable asset for future researchers."
Michael King Macdona

And do as adversaries do in law, -
Strive mightily, but eat and drink as friends.
(The Taming of the Shrew: Act 1, Scene 2)
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Messages In This Thread
Re: Calling all armchair generals! - by Ensifer - 03-11-2010, 03:13 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 02-18-2012, 06:26 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 02-19-2012, 12:02 AM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 02-19-2012, 02:50 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 02-19-2012, 05:40 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 02-19-2012, 11:26 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-24-2012, 05:11 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-24-2012, 09:42 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-24-2012, 10:10 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-25-2012, 03:11 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-25-2012, 03:25 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-25-2012, 08:36 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-26-2012, 02:57 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 04-27-2012, 01:50 PM
Re: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Steve Kaye - 08-05-2012, 02:24 PM
Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by Renatus - 09-06-2013, 05:29 PM
Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by antiochus - 11-07-2014, 02:18 PM
Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by antiochus - 11-08-2014, 01:50 AM
Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by antiochus - 11-11-2014, 02:03 AM
Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by antiochus - 11-18-2014, 07:54 AM
Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by antiochus - 11-20-2014, 02:37 AM
Calling all armchair generals! Boudica\'s Last Stand. - by antiochus - 11-25-2014, 08:29 AM

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