The Boudican revolt (c. AD 60–1)

Abstract

London was destroyed in AD 60/61 by British rebels following the Icenian queen, Boudica. This chapter describes the archaeological traces of fire destruction, and reviews the contribution that the archaeological study of London makes to our understanding of the date and course of the revolt. Arguments concerning London’s unusual status are reviewed, and it is suggested that the city remained under the close control of the governor and imperial procurator. The urban community was dominated by an immigrant community with tastes developed on the Rhineland frontier. The absence of any evidence for the involvement of a local land-owning elite in civic affairs is identified as an important peculiarity of political arrangements in London.