PR-2237IRE Ancient Rome

1. Use these words to complete the passage about Boudica:
slew shields troops eastern swords invaders cooperated drew tribe
spare javelins liberate governor Roman organised equipped army rout
fled experienced
Boudica was the warrior-queen of the Iceni, a Celtic
1
which first rebelled against the Romans in 47 AD in
the
2
part of Britain. She led a huge
3
of thousands of supporters against the
4
oppressors in 60 AD.
Boudica attacked Londinium (London) and did not
Romans. Believing she could
the
Romans in Britain – Boudica
‘In stature she was very tall, in appearance most terrifying, in the glance of her eye most fierce, and
her voice was harsh’ – Cassius Dio, ancient Roman historian.
Suetonius Paullinus in 61 AD.
Her army was badly
5
those Britons who had
6
with the
7
her people from
8
, she fought a fierce battle with the disciplined
9
of the Roman military
10
,
11
and no match for the well
12
Roman legionaries under their
13
general. After flinging their
14
the Roman forces
15
their short stabbing
16
and, protected
by their long
17
, charged the Britons. The battle now became a
18
as the
frightened rebels
19
in terror and the pursuing Romans
20
men, women and
children.
Note: Rather than being captured by the Romans, Boudica died after taking poison.
2. List the four adjectives Cassius Dio used to describe
Boudica.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
3. How many years was it from the first revolt of the
Iceni to their defeat in 61 AD?
Bronze statue of
Boudica near the
Houses of Parliament,
London.
5. How can we tell the Romans were merciless fighters?
Viewing Sample
6. Which word in the passage means ‘to set free’?
7. Which word tells us Paullinus was a soldier?
8. What was the name of Boudica’s tribe?
4. Which word in the passage means ‘an overwhelming
defeat’?
9. Boudica’s followers were well armed. True or false?
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