"Queen Boudica- Fighter or Leader?" Topic

I was reading a very intersting and lively discussion at the international movie data base about the film Centurion and and if there were many fighting women in ancient times.
Many participants mentioned Boudica as proof that many celtic women were a deadly fighter as any celtic man. But I am not sure about that.

So what do you think?
Did Boudica fight the Romans with sword and lance or did she lead her army from behind?

So far as I'm aware she was a leader.

After all, if she lead her troops from the front, she wouldn't have had the opportunity to comit suicide.

This 'warrior women' stuff is New Age BS I think. Had the Celts used warrior women, I'm pretty sure the Romans would have mentioned it.

You're probably right, but just keep in mind that she could have been killed in the fighting or maybe carnage after the rout. I think it's Tacitus that says suicide – he would have only been 4 or 5 years old in 60 A.D., but maybe he had it on good authority, being well-connected.

I think that there is some mention during one of Marius' battles about Germanic tribeswomen of the Cimbri or Teutones fighting at some point, but I don't think it was impromptu fighting and not a pitched battle situation.

How do the romans know she committede suicide? They evidently didn't find her body…

Actually the Romans did mention that the Brit women and dogs that they fought inside Maiden Castle were as rough as the fight to get inside.
FYI
Clif

I guess that celtic and germanic women were tough as a nail and quite impressive when making a last stand. But I donīt think that they knew how to fight like their menfolk. Of course there might have been exemptions.

Yes there are Roman references, early and late, to Celtic women fighting. I think it was probably an aristocratic thing. There are also post Roman references sufficent to make the point, Scathach ran a military school and Aodamhan's law prohibited women fighting.

As for the gal herself, while I'm sure she was capable of lopping a head off, Celtic generalship required a bit more than that. Cartimandua of Brigantia also seems to have been quite lively.

The thing to note is that, as far as we can tell, they both did lead a warrior aristocracy rather than appoint a general. Therefore those warrior aristocrats must have found them acceptable as war leaders.

While I suspect that Boudicca's career didn't prove the presence of women as front-rank warriors in Celtic armies, I'd also point out that we are not in the habit of judging male generals by their hand-to-hand ability.

Well, except for moronic TV shows where we are asked to compare George Washington with Napoleon Bonaparte. Their bare-knuckle brawls are legendary – tall, much older guy with wooden teeth against scrappy Corsican midget. A bookie's dream.

My dog is called Boudicca- she is a czech wolfdog- magnificent breed but hard work when they are young.

Hey Tabasco..I'm interested in getting a Czech Wolfdog.
Why do you mention they are hard work when young?
Thanks.

Oh Boudicca? She was just a housewife. She wasn't into killing and burning at all. It was those neighbours from hell that traumatised her. ;-)

Leader.

I rather like Sutcliff's version in 'Song for a Dark Queen.'

"tall, much older guy with wooden teeth against scrappy Corsican midget."

That's the reason for the no biting rule in boxing, splinters you see. Nasty.

If I recall ' The Eagle and the Raven' by Pauline Gedge has Btitish female aristocracy trained to weapons

More than a woman. She's more than a woman to me

As did Melvyn Bragg in his novel Credo.

Zenobia led from the front didn't she?

Quebecnordiques- when young they are a flailing blur of legs and teeth until they settle down a bit- they don't mean anything by it , it's their way of affection.

Boudicca has grown in to loyal lovely tempered companion.

Just keep your face away from them until they reach about 3.5 years old , plenty of exercise and some raw food/bone balance and you will be fine- also check out the wolfdog groups on facebook.

Thanks Tabasco2152. I have visited those wolfdog groups and from what I've read, I don't know if it would be a good idea to get one as it would have to be alone 4 or 5 hours..and I don't think the sitting room could stand the frustration!