Calling all armchair generals! Boudica's Last Stand.

[Renatus]

chained to the spot by the weakness of their sex

Don't blame me; blame Tacitus.  However, having said that, I have been as guilty as you in not checking Church & Brodribb's translation on this point.  'Imbellis' does not mean 'weakness'; it means 'unwarlike, unfit for war, peaceful, fond of peace'.  So the comment may not be as sexist as you like to make out.

I have two pieces of advice to give to you, which I don't suppose you will take but I will give them anyway:

1.  Read Alan's post above as to how some people will react when under threat.  He draws on a wealth of military experience.

2.  Read Adrian Goldsworthy's paper ' "Instinctive Genius": The depiction of Caesar the general '.  You can find it easily online or on JSTOR.  That will tell you how the Romans responded to rebellions.  You may not like it but it will demonstrate that your concept of how Suetonius is likely to have acted is misconceived.