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Calling all armchair generals! Boudica's Last Stand.
(01-12-2021, 12:53 PM)Nathan Ross Wrote: Little, perhaps, but not none. We've mentioned and discussed both points here before, although many years ago - and it's good to reiterate things for the benefit of anyone who does not care to read through the entire thread!

My memory must be failing me!  I remember myself suggesting that Suetonius set out initially to relieve Colchester, intending to rendezvous with Cerialis in the vicinity of Godmanchester.  However, I don't remember the impracticality of civilians being expected to keep up with a fast-moving column of cavalry being discussed.


(01-12-2021, 12:53 PM)Nathan Ross Wrote: But yes, it is only Tacitus's dramatic narrative presentation, I think, that gives the misleading impression that Paulinus did not hear about the uprising until after the siege of Colchester had already commenced.

I see what you mean, although I had not read it quite that way.  I saw Suetonius being informed of the uprising and then Tacitus explaining the reason for it and recounting its progress up to the defeat of Cerialis.  He then continues the narrative with Suetonius proceeding to London but not placing that immediately after his having learned of the crisis.


(01-12-2021, 12:53 PM)Nathan Ross Wrote: In reality he could have been informed very soon after Boudicca first began mustering her forces, and begun his march soon afterwards, which removes any necessity for explaining the apparent speed of his movement down to London.

Indeed.  That was what I was trying to convey.


(01-12-2021, 12:53 PM)Nathan Ross Wrote: Incidentally, I don't think we know that Ceralis started from Lincoln (or Longthorpe), do we? Nothing in our sources says that he was not (for example) simply leading the vanguard detachment of Suetonius Paulinus's troops, and decided to hurry on ahead when he heard about the siege of Colchester. Either option is perfectly possible.

If I am right in thinking that the Second, Fourteenth and Twentieth Legions were all involved in the Anglesey campaign, with their veterans being left guarding their base fortresses, having the Ninth (even if only a part of it) there as well looks a bit like overkill.  At risk of introducing another factoid into this discussion, I see the Ninth being divided, with the greater part with the legionary commander at Lincoln and a smaller contingent being outposted at Longthorpe.  On hearing of the emergency, Cerialis hurried to Longthorpe to take command there, leaving the main part of the legion at Lincoln and ultimately leading the Longthorpe contingent to Colchester.  This would explain why only 2000 men were required to bring the Ninth up to strength after the revolt.
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 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
RE: Calling all armchair generals! Boudica's Last Stand. - by Renatus - 01-12-2021, 05:50 PM

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