Boudicca (Boadicea), William
Faithorne, 1676
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Boudicca was queen of the Iceni, a Celtic tribe allied to the Roman empire. Her husband, King Prasutagus, willed half of his kingdom to their daughters and the remaining half to the Romans to appease their emperor. However, upon his death, the Romans annexed his kingdom and brutalised his people. Boudicca rose in rebellion, leading her people and other Celtic tribes against the Romans. Although the revolt was ultimately unsuccessful, the incident was humiliating for Rome, especially because Boudicca was a woman. Her fate remains unknown, but it is speculated by historians that she either committed suicide by poison or died from disease or shock after the revolt.
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