The rebellion of Boudicca against Roman authority is one of the most dramatic events in the UK's history. Two historical accounts survive in classical literature and there is a growing body of archaeological evidence adding precision and detail. Originally published in 1962, this book combines the two sources and studies the causes of the revolt, follows its course and reflects on its aftermath in the way it affected Britain and Roman Imperial policy. The book shows the main characters, Boudicca herself, Suetonius Paulinus the governor and Decianus, the procurator, as human beings thrown by the merciless searchlight of history into harsh relief. It also discusses the extent to which the Druids and their attempt to prevent the destruction of their sacred groves in Anglesey may have been a factor in the revolt.

Donald R. Dudley (1910-1972) was a classical scholar and historian. He was professor of Latin at Birmingham University from 1955-72, a Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, and Henry Fellow at Yale University, USA.

Graham Webster (1913-2001) began his career as a Chartered Civil Engineer. Having worked as an amateur archaeologist in Lincoln where he helped to found the Archaeological Rescue Committee, he was appointed the first full-time curator of the Grosvenor Museum at Chester. From 1948-54, he transformed the museum, (including deisgning a didactic display on the Roman Army), whilst excavating parts of the legionary fortress each year. In 1955 an annual training programme was established at Wroxeter under his direction. As Reader in British-Romano archaeology at the University of Birmingham, Graham Webster taught classes which could be turned into active field groups and developed a research programme to continue the work on Roman military activity in the first century. The author of numerous books, Webster was also asked to set quesions on Roman Britain for the Australian Mastermind.