Iron Age ruler Verica was a woman, not a king, researchers find

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 16:00 · Archive

Verica, the Iron Age British ruler who historians believed persuaded Emperor Claudius to invade Britain in AD43, was actually a woman, according to Bournemouth University researchers.

Historians have long presumed that Verica, a British ruler central to the Roman invasion of Britain in AD43, was male. However, researchers at Bournemouth University now argue that Verica was actually a woman, a discovery that rewrites the understanding of early Roman Britain.

Verica ruled the Atrebates, a tribe whose territory covered much of what is now Hampshire and West Sussex. In 40AD, Verica was ousted from power and fled to Rome, where the ruler persuaded Emperor Claudius to invade Britain. According to Roman historian Cassius Dio, the invasion of Britain only happened because Verica convinced the emperor to cross the Channel.

Dr Miles Russell, director of archaeological fieldwork at Bournemouth University, who led the research, stated that 'Verica is assumed to have been male because of the patriarchal mindset of 19th-century classical historians'. He argues that Verica was 'indisputably female'. The research is included in a new book, Caratacus: Great King Of Britain.

Russell points to several pieces of evidence. The name 'Verica' ends in 'a', which was common for female names at the time, such as Cartimandua of the Brigantes and Boudica of the Iceni. Coins minted under Verica depict a 'slender, feminine, bare-breasted figure riding on horseback', contrasting with coins from male rulers such as Cunobelinus and Caratacus, which show overtly male characters.

Russell also notes that Verica used the term 'rex' on coins. Many assume this indicates a male ruler, but 'rex' was a non-gender-specific title used by Rome for both male and female allies. Female rulers recognised by Rome included Cleopatra of Egypt. The findings suggest that Verica's role in triggering the Roman invasion, and the dynamics of Iron Age British politics, may need reassessment.

How it is being reported

• Iron Age king central to Britain's invasion by Rome might actually have been a queenVerica was a ruler of the Atrebates, whose territory covered much of modern-day Hampshire and West SussexThe Independent · 5 Nov, 12:23
• Historians say King Verica persuaded Rome to invade Britain. But could Verica actually have been a queen?Controversial theory that Verica, who incited Emperor Claudius’s AD43 landing, was a woman could put a new spin on British history if true It was a moment that changed the course of British history: in AD43, Roman troops under the emperor Claudius landed in Kent. Now, an archaeologist has claimed the British ruler who persuaded Claudius to invade was not a king but a queen. The controversial conclusion, made by Dr Miles Russell, the director of archaeological fieldwork at Bournemouth University, could throw new light on Britain’s history. Continue reading...The Guardian · 5 Nov, 05:00
• British Iron Age king might actually have been a queen, scientist saysVerica was a ruler of the Atrebates, whose territory covered much of modern-day Hampshire and West SussexThe Independent · 5 Nov, 00:01
• Iron Age King was a WOMAN! Study reveals the true identity of 'Verica' - a ruler who was central to the Roman Invasion of BritainFor years, historians have presumed that Verica was a man. However, a new analysis shows that Verica was in fact a woman - a discovery that rewrites the history of early Roman Britain.Daily Mail · 5 Nov, 00:01

In this story: Verica · Emperor Claudius · Dr Miles Russell · Bournemouth University · Atrebates · Hampshire · West Sussex · Rome

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