Iron AgeLate Iron Age · Territory of the Atrebates, Hampshire and West Sussex, United Kingdom
Verica, the British ruler who brought Claudius to invade, was a woman, Bournemouth archaeologist argues
Miles Russell says the name, the coins and the Roman title rex all point to a female ruler of the Atrebates around AD 40.
In brief 3 key points
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- Verica ruled the Atrebates, whose land covered much of modern Hampshire and West Sussex
- Ousted around AD 40, Verica fled to Claudius, and Cassius Dio says this led to the invasion of AD 43
- Miles Russell argues Verica was a woman, citing the name, the coin imagery and the gender-neutral title rex
Verica, the Iron Age British ruler whose flight to Rome preceded the Roman invasion of AD 43, was a woman, a Bournemouth University archaeologist argues. Historians have long assumed Verica was a man.
Miles Russell, Director of Archaeological Fieldwork at Bournemouth University, sets out the case in his new book Caratacus: Great King of Britain, published by Bloomsbury. It is also discussed in the latest issue of Current Archaeology.
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A ruler who fled to Rome
Verica ruled the Atrebates, a tribe whose territory covered much of modern Hampshire and West Sussex. Around AD 40 Verica was ousted from power and fled to the emperor Claudius in Rome. According to the Roman historian Cassius Dio, the invasion happened only because Verica persuaded Claudius to cross the Channel.
“Verica is assumed to have been male because of the patriarchal mindset of 19th century, classical historians.”
Miles Russell, Bournemouth University
The evidence
Russell points first to the name. Its ending in -a was common for female names at the time, as with Cartimandua of the Brigantes and Boudica of the Iceni.
The coins carry the Latin title rex. Russell says the title was not gender-specific, and that Rome recognised both male and female kings, Cleopatra being the best known. He adds that its use shows Verica ruled with the emperor's full authorisation.
The imagery on the coins is a third clue. Other British leaders who struck coins show obviously male warriors. Verica's coins show a slender, bare-breasted figure on horseback, Russell says.
Russell argues Verica provided tactical information and support on the ground for the invasion, which gave Claudius his great military triumph.
Sources (1)
Bookfrom Bournemouth University
- Iron Age ruler Verica may have been a woman, Bournemouth researchers argue (EurekAlert! (Bournemouth University))
Paper: Miles Russell, Caratacus: Great King of Britain (Bloomsbury)
Edited by Guiseppe Weijermars
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