The Romans hated her, the Celts fought for her and now she is immortalised with a statue in Westminster. But who was Boudicca? The latest video in the Ancient World in London series looks at how her name is often misspelt, how her bloodthirsty rage was caused by the death of her husband and raping of her daughters and how the Romans beat her to within an inch of her life. The story of how she sacked three Roman cities in Britain is uncovered, and how she fell at the Battle of Watling Street.
Submitted by Sean Williams on Fri, 03/12/2010 - 10:00
Boudicca massacred 80,000 people on her way to infamy, as she left Colchester, London and St Albans little more than smouldering husks in 60AD. And it's no surprise to learn that her appearance matched her bloodthirsty attitude. Boudicca was "a great big busty woman," says expert Mark Hassall, "with a blonde mass of hair falling down to her shoulders.
The deadline has now passed for entries to round two of our Ancient World in London Bloggers Challenge, which saw a number of denizens of the ancient history blogosphere eagerly and eloquently state their case for the most important ancient site in London. We're pleased to announce that the winner is Livius Drusus, from The History Blog, who argued a great case for Drapers' Gardens – a little known archaeological site that has yielded a wealth of fascinating Roman remains.
Submitted by Nick Gilbert on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 10:50
The warrior Queen, the avenging mother, the woman scorned. Ask any English person who led 'us' in the fight against Rome and they will tell you about a woman whose fame outweighs her achievements. Called Boadicea, Boudicca or Boudica, she has a legendary status, like Vercingetorix in Gaul, as one of the leaders of the old world who fought with courage against Rome. Hopelessly outmatched in so many ways, they represented tradition, their religions and some would say freedom against foreign oppressors. The logistical capability and military precision of the Empire meant that resistance to Roman dominance was in the most part futile. Those who succeeded were few and far between. Boudicca led a rebellion which, literally and metaphorically, set Roman Britain ablaze, but in doing so guaranteed the destruction of her people and their way of life. I want to look at who she was and why she rebelled, and ask what her legacy really was.
In the second part of their adventure across Roman London, Ian Smith takes Nicole Favish to the centre of the city to Cornhill. Taking a trip to the basilica forum and St Stephen Walbrook, Ian explains how the Londinium forum was akin to the city centre such as modern day's Oxford Street and Leicester Square. They attempt to visit the Temple of Mithras but it is currently in the process of being moved. Ian discusses the importance of the River Walbrook to the development of Londinium in ancient times, before the pair go to the London Guildhall, and see the original site of the Roman Amphitheatre. Discussing the blood and gore that would go on as gladiators would battle wild animals, as well as theatre and circus that would serve as the city's entertainment.
Submitted by E P Wohlfart on Wed, 02/24/2010 - 10:19
The first Ancient World In London Bloggers Challenge, in which we wanted to know what invader has had the most impact on London, has come to a close and we've had some fascinating suggestions. There were strong arguments for the Roman traders and the Scandinavians, as well as more surprising blogs claiming pestilence and pigeons' claim to the title of most influential invader. We even had some funny original artwork in support of the latter - presumably to make up for a lack of hard evidence.
The winning entry was so well proposed that one can hardly argue that Rattus Rattus is indeed the most impactful invader the city of London has ever seen.
Just outside Tower Hill tube station is a statue of who is believed to be the Roman Emperor Trajan. It stands outside one of the last remaining pieces of the London Wall. The wall was built by the Romans to surround and protect Londinium. Trajan was the 13th Roman Emperor who reigned from 98 until his death in 117 AD.
Trajan is best known for his extensive public building programme, which reshaped the city of Rome and left multiple enduring landmarks such as Trajan's Forum, Trajan's Market and Trajan's Column. His major campaigns as emperor were in 106 AD against the Dacians and against the Parthians in 113AD, which increased the Roman territory.
The statue was discovered in a scrap yard by a vicar in Southampton.
2010 marks the 1600th anniversary of the end of Roman Britain in AD 410, one of the greatest turning points in British history. To celebrate (or commemorate) a large number of organisations and museums work together to offer you a year filled with Roman-Britain events.
The programme of 410-2010 events centres around a comprehensive range of conferences across England and Wales. In addition there will be re-enactment festivals and a series of other events and projects all designed to spread public understanding of 410 and push the debate on the period forward: What was life on the island like at this critical moment? Was it fire and sword, with barbarian raids, peasant risings, tribal warfare? How much survived, and how much changed? What did the conquerors leave behind? Did the new Britain forged in the period after the departure of Rome bear the hallmarks of Roman civilisation, or was it a revolutionary new order of Britons and Germans?
The warrior Queen, the avenging mother, the woman scorned. Ask any English person who led 'us' in the fight against Rome and they will tell you about a woman whose fame outweighs her achievements. Called 
