SOURCE 1: The Annals, By Tacitus (Written in AD 110-120)
"We British are used to women commanders in war; I am descended from mighty men! But I am not fighting for my kingdom and wealth now. I am fighting as an ordinary person for my lost freedom, my bruised body, and my outraged daughters.... Consider how many of you are fighting — and why! Then you will win this battle, or perish. That is what I, a woman, plan to do! - let the men live in slavery if they will - Boudicca, according to Tacitus.
Source 1 specifically reveals to historians the feelings Boudicca was going through during the time she was rounding up soldiers. It also depicts to us her reasons for becoming so furious at the Romans and fighting them with a passionate scorn that only a women’s fury could bring. Due to Boudicca's loss of freedom, bruised body and outraged daughters, she is enraged and fighting the Romans for those reasons, as explained in the text. Boudicca is also speaking about being an 'ordinary person' while fighting. This may refer to her being of royal descent and can reveal to historians that she was of royal and noble descent. Source 1 also shows historians that the British people gave equal rights to the British women and had no qualms about accepting Boudicca as their leader because they believed in her. However, further on in the source, Boudicca exclaims "That is what I, a woman, plan to do!".This can most likely be a reference to how the Romans treated women unequally.
SOURCE 2: Dio's Roman History VIII, By Cassius Dio, a Roman Historian (153 AD-230 AD)
In stature she was very tall, in appearance most terrifying, in the glance of her eye most fierce, and her voice was harsh; a great mass of the tawniest hair fell to her hips; around her neck was a large golden necklace; and she wore a tunic of divers colours over which a thick mantle was fastened with a brooch. This was her invariable attire."
Source 2 reveals to many people and historians how Boudicca appearance was and how she dressed. As said in the text, Boudicca was a tall, frightening women who had a large amount of 'tawny' hair which fell down all the way to her hips. This source also portrays what kind of clothing was worn at this period of time and divulge to historians about the type of clothing the Celts wore. Using this text as evidence, it can be said that Boudicca came from a well off family as it is said that Boudicca wears a large golden necklace which can be seen as a symbol of wealth. Dio has stated that the source depicts Boudicca's 'invariable attire'. This could mean that Boudicca rarely changed her clothes. This description of Boudicca can also reveal to historians that Boudicca had a fierce and menacing. Boudicca is well worthy of the warrior queen stasis she is known by today.
SOURCE 3: Dio's Roman History VIII, By Cassius Dio, a Roman historian (153 AD-230 AD)
"...a terrible disaster occurred in Britain. Two cities were sacked, eighty thousand of the Romans and of their allies perished, and the island was lost to Rome. Moreover, all this ruin was brought upon the Romans by a woman, a fact which in itself caused them the greatest shame....But the person who was chiefly instrumental in rousing the natives and persuading them to fight the Romans, the person who was thought worthy to be their leader and who directed the conduct of the entire war, was Boudicca, a Briton woman of the royal family and possessed of greater intelligence than often belongs to women...."
Source 3 reveals to historians many things about Boudicca's life and final moments. The source serves to inform about how many Romans and cities were destroyed, which reveals how strong Boudicca's army was. The source also mentions how Boudicca is of royal descent and that the Romans believed Boudicca had a high level of intellect. In the source by Dio, it also explains how the Romans felt great shame due to the fact that they were beaten by a leader who was a women. This refers to the fact that during this time the attitudes towards women were very negative as they were thought not as superior to men, as well as in-equals, and certainly do not have the ability of leading a rebel army. Although the Romans dismissed Boudicca of being worthy to lead, they thought she was "possessed of greater intelligence than often belongs to women..." which reveals that the Romans knew who they were dealing with, which also meant that they knew Boudicca and her army were not to be taken lightly.
All 3 sources can reveal that both ancient historians Tacitus and Dio believed Boudicca to be fit to lead a great army and 'possessed of great intelligence'. In source 2 and 3, the perspective given on Boudicca is one of a fierce women who is filled with rage. At the same time, Boudicca was also very terrifying and had an intimidating appearance which many people feared. Source 1 also views Boudicca as a women who is furious and angry, and depicts the idea that she is willing to risk her own life to fight for the justice of her people. In all 3 sources there is not much difference between the perspectives of Dio Cassius and Tacitus. All 3 sources provide the same appearance and perspective of a vengeful queen leading her large rebel army to destroy over 80,00 Roman people and 3 cities throughout 2 years. Source 1 and 3 also refer to the prejudice against women being a leader for armies. In Source 1, Boudicca states "We British commanders are used to woman commanders in war" and goes on to say "This is what I, a woman, will do!" which gives the impression that the Celts and British let women command armies in war and they gave them equal rights. However, in source 3, Dio states "Moreover, all this ruin was brought upon the Romans by a woman, a fact in itself caused them the greatest of shame" which gives depicts the idea that the Romans did certainly did not think very much of Boudicca at all until she beat them and that they did not allow women to lead in wars. Therefore, all 3 sources gives the perspective that Boudicca was a fierce and courageous woman who lead her army despite all the troubles faced along the way and was able to put up a great fight against the Roman empire that will forever be remembered.