Would someone knowledgable with Roman history be able to help?

[Skatha]

Hey everyone! I'm writing a paper for my Women's Studies class about the feminism of Queen Boudicca of the Iceni Tribe of Britain. I need some good sources on the customs, beliefs, taboos, etc. of Rome during the time in which Boudicca did battle with Roman insurgents. I also need some specific information on the laws, beliefs, treatment, etc. of women in Roman society. Also, if anyone can suggest any decent books on the history of Boudicca herself, that would be great! The focus of my paper is about how Boudicca defied many of the taboos surrounding female leaders/warriors during her time, and why she should be a role model for feminist activists today. If any of you would be able to help guide me with some good sources of information, that would be fantastic! Thank you so much! :weirdsmil

[Brightshores]

Are you looking for primary or secondary sources? Are you looking for information on the place of women in Roman society in general, or in Iron Age pre-Roman British Celtic society? The Empire was quite diverse; the place of women in Rome, Athens, Palestine, Britain, and Scythia would have been notably different.

[Valnorran]

The focus of my paper is about how Boudicca defied many of the taboos surrounding female leaders/warriors during her time, and why she should be a role model for feminist activists today. If any of you would be able to help guide me with some good sources of information, that would be fantastic! Thank you so much! :weirdsmil
For the Romans, they were taboo. For the Celts, they were normal. For info on the Celts, Peter Berresford Ellis writes a lot of good stuff. In fact, I think he wrote a book called Celtic Women. He also wrote one detailing encounters between Celts and Rome.

[Skatha]

For the Romans, they were taboo. For the Celts, they were normal. For info on the Celts, Peter Berresford Ellis writes a lot of good stuff. In fact, I think he wrote a book called Celtic Women. He also wrote one detailing encounters between Celts and Rome.

Yes...I've actually read quite a few of Peter B. Ellis's works, including Celtic Women. I'm pretty well versed when it comes to women's place in society in Celtic Britain. I am not, however, versed in how it was in Roman society around the time of AD 60. I know a little bit, but not enough to write my paper. If anyone could suggest some books on the subject, that would be great.

[David19]

I'm not sure how much help I can give you, but, on this Wikipedia article, Women in Ancient Rome (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_Rome), it has, at the bottom of the page, some references and links:


References
^ R. Phillips A Short History of Wine pg 46-56 Harper Collins 2000 ISBN 0066212820
^ See Mary Lefkowitz's article, "A Woman's Place Was in the Temple", Wilson Quarterly, Winter '93).
^ Pomeroy, Sarah Jane, Women in Classical Antiquity

[edit] External links
FEMINAE ROMANAE: The Women of Ancient Rome (2001-2006). Site discussing Roman women of all walks of life.
Dr. Susan Martin, Private Lives and Public Personae, 1997.
WomenintheAncientWorld.com (2005).
Daehner, Jens (ed.), The Herculaneum Women: History, Context, Identities (Los Angeles: The J. Paul Getty Museum, 2007), Pp. xiv, 178

Those might be some places to start (I know the article is Wikipedia, but, at least, there are some books referenced).

Hope this helps and good luck :).

[banondraig]

I'm not sure how much she did about Romans specifically, but Antonia Fraser (sp?) wrote a book called Warrior Queens which included at least one chapter about Boudicca, and others about her more-or-less contemporary Zenobia, who if I recall correctly also had a run-in with the Roman empire.

[Skatha]

That works, too. Any info on the subject is more than appreciated! Thanks!

[David19]

That works, too. Any info on the subject is more than appreciated! Thanks!

Hope all of this helps you paper :).

[Skatha]

Thank you...I think it will!

[David19]

Thank you...I think it will!

That's good :).

[Skatha]

Just thought I'd let everyone know that my paper was a complete success! After tons of research and referencing, I was able to put together a 30 page paper which earned me an A+ for the class! Not only that, but I learned a ton of new and interesting stuff about Roman society that I never would have learned if I didn't choose to take a risk and tackle this subject. Lesson learned! :crown:

Thanks to all who offered me advise! I really appreciate it :smileroll