Inspiration for the fight (3)

Question 1

Boudicca curru filias prae se vehens,

Answer 1

Boudicca, carrying her daughters in front of her in her chariot,

Question 2

ut quamquam nationem accesserat,

Answer 2

as she had approached each tribe

Question 3

solitum quidem Britannis feminarum ductu bella testabatur,

Answer 3

Indeed she declared that it was usual for the Britons to fight under the leadership of women,

Question 4

sed tunc non ut tantis maioribus ortam regnum et opes,

Answer 4

But at that time, as she was descended from such great ancestors,

Question 5

verum ut unam e vulgo libertatem amissam,

Answer 5

she was avenging* her wealth and kingdom, the lost liberty of her people

Question 6

confectum verberibus corpus, contrectatam filiarum pudicitiam ulcisci.

Answer 6

her body worn out by beatings, and the mistreated chastity of her daughters.

Question 7

eo provectas Romanorum cupidines ut non corpora,

Answer 7

The desires of the Romans were so far gone, that they didn’t leave

Question 8

ne senectam quidem aut virginitatem impollutam relinquant

Answer 8

bodies, nor indeed old age or virginity undefiled.

Question 9

adesse tamen deos iustae vindictae:

Answer 9

The gods, however, were there on the side of righteous vengeance.

Question 10

cecidisse legionem, quae proelium ausa sit;

Answer 10

a legion, that dared (to engage in) battle had fallen;

Question 11

ceteros castris occultari aut fugam circumspicere.

Answer 11

the rest were hidden in their camps or looking out for an escape.

Question 12

ne strepitum quidem et clamorem tot milium,

Answer 12

Not even a noise and shout of so many thousands,

Question 13

nedum impetus et manus perlaturos:

Answer 13

not to mention bands of men about to make an attack:

Question 14

si copias armatorum, si causas belli secum expenderent,

Answer 14

If they considered the forces of armed men, and the reasons for war among themselves,

Question 15

vincendum illa acie vel cadendum esse.

Answer 15

They had to win or to fall in this battle.

Question 16

id mulieri destinatum: viverent viri et servirent.

Answer 16

This was the woman’s decision: the men would live and be slaves.

Question 17

ne Suetonius quidem in tanto discrimine silebat.

Answer 17

Nor indeed was Suetonius silent in such a great crisis.

Question 18

quamquam confideret virtuti,

Answer 18

Although he had trust in their courage,

Question 19

tamen exhortationes et preces miscebat

Answer 19

yet he mixed encouragement and prayers

Question 20

ut spernerent sonores barbarorum et inanes minas:

Answer 20

So that they would scorn the noises of the barbarians and their empty threats:

Question 21

plus illic feminarum quam iuventutis aspici.

Answer 21

(he said that*) there were more women to be seen there than young men.

Question 22

imbelles inermes cessuros statim

Answer 22

(they were) unwarlike and unarmed, and would surrender at once

Question 23

ubi ferrum virtutemque vincentium toties fusi adgnovissent.

Answer 23

When they, scattered so many times, recognised the swords and courage of their conquerors.

Question 24

etiam in multis legionibus paucos qui proelia profligarent;

Answer 24

Even in great legions, there were a few (men) who decided (the outcome of) battles

Question 25

gloriaeque eorum accessurum

Answer 25

It would be more to their glory that

Question 26

quod modica manus universi exercitus famam adipiscerentur.

Answer 26

a small group of men would gain fame for the whole army.

Question 27

conferti tantum et pilis emissis post umbonibus

Answer 27

Only close together and when their javelin had been thrown

Question 28

et gladiis stragem caedemque continuarent, praedae immemores:

Answer 28

Should they continue the destruction and slaughter, using their shields and swords, with no regard for booty.

Question 29

parta victoria cuncta ipsis cessura.

Answer 29

When victory had been won, everything would be given over to them.

Question 30

is ardor verba ducis sequebatur,

Answer 30

This desire followed the words of the leader,

Question 31

ita se ad intorquenda pila expedierat vetus miles

Answer 31

And the veteran soldiers, with much experience in battle*

Question 32

et multa proliorum experientia

Answer 32

prepared themselves to hurl javelins* in such a way

Question 33

ut certus eventus Suetonius daret pugnae signum.

Answer 33

that Suetonius, confident in the outcome, gave the signal to fight.

Question 34

ac primum legio gradu immota

Answer 34

And at first the legion (remained) unmoved in their position,

Question 35

et angustias loci pro munimento retinens,

Answer 35

holding to the narrowness of the place as a defence,

Question 36

postquam in propius suggressos hostes

Answer 36

After they hurled their javelins at enemies coming closer

Question 37

certo iactu tela exhauserat, velut cuneo erupit.

Answer 37

with accurate aim, they broke out in wedge formation.

Question 38

idem auxiliarium impetus; et eques protentis hastis perfringit

Answer 38

The attack of the auxiliaries was the same; the cavalry broke through

Question 39

quod obvium et validum erat.

Answer 39

whatever was in their way and strong with outstretched spears.

Question 40

ceteri terga praebuere, difficili effugio,

Answer 40

The rest turned their backs in retreat (which was) difficult

Question 41

quia circumiecta vehicula saepserant abitus.

Answer 41

because surrounding wagons had blocked the way out.

Question 42

et miles ne mulierum quidem neci temperabat,

Answer 42

And (our) soldiers didn’t hold back even from slaughtering women,

Question 43

confixaque telis etiam iumenta corporum cumulum auxerant.

Answer 43

And pierced even the beasts of burden with their weapons, adding to the heap of bodies.

Question 44

clara et antiquis victoriis par ea die laus parta;

Answer 44

Famous glory, equal to victories of old, was obtained that day.

Question 45

quippe sunt qui paulo minus

Answer 45

For there are those (who say) that a little less

Question 46

quam octaginta milia Brittanorum cecidisse tradant,

Answer 46

than 80,000 Britons died,

Question 47

militum quadringentis ferme interfectis

Answer 47

with about 400 soldiers killed

Question 48

nec multo amplius vulneratis.

Answer 48

And not many more wounded.

Question 49

Boudica vitam veneno finivit.

Answer 49

Boudicca ended her life with poison.