7. What event in the history of Britain is associated with the Iceni people and their queen? How did the Romans try to defend themselves against the Celtic tribes?

Boudicca (Boadicea) was queen of the Iceni people of Eastern England and led a major uprising against occupying Roman forces.

Boudicca was married to Prasutagus, ruler of the Iceni people of East Anglia. When the Romans conquered southern England, they allowed Prasutagus to continue to rule. However, when Prasutagus died the Romans decided to rule the Iceni directly and confiscated the property of the leading tribesmen. They are also said to have flogged Boudicca and raped her daughters. These actions caused widespread resentment at Roman rule.

In 60 or 61 AD the Iceni rebelled. Members of other tribes joined them.

Boudicca's warriors successfully defeated the Roman 9th Legion and destroyed the capital of Roman Britain, then at Colchester. They went on to destroy London and Verulamium (St Albans). Thousands were killed. Finally, Boudicca was defeated by a Roman army. Many Britons were killed and Boudicca died probably by commiting suicide. The monument dedicated to Boadicea and her daughters is located in London facing the Big Ben.

The Romans built at least 2 walls to defend themselves against the Celtis tribes. Antonine Wall was built in the north of island. It was made of wood and was 63 km long, 3 m high. But this Wall apparently didn't stop the Celtic attacks, as they burnt some parts of it. Another wall, Hadrian's Wall was built further to the south than Antonine's Wall. It was made of stone and was 117,5 km long and 5 m high. However, the Picts and Scots managed to contunue treir attacks when the Walls had been already built.

The Romans built their towns called "castra" which were military stations and also defended the legions from the islanders' attacks. The fortresses were connected with wide roman roads, which were used by the legions to move fast from one place to another. These measures also helped the Romans to defend themselves in Britain.

8. What is the most spectacular memorial of the Roman presence in Britain?

The Romans brought a lot of things to Britain and certainly increased its cultural level. They built their towns with the drain system, markets and temples. The Romans built roman baths and beautifully decorated villas. But the most significant memorial of the Romans' presence are Hadrian's Wall.

Hadrian's Wall was built in the north of the island and aimed to defend Roman legions against the Picts and Scots. It became a border with Scotland. It was made of stone and was 117,5 km long and 5 m high. However, the Celtic tribes managed to contunue treir attacks when the Wall had been already built. They couldn't burn it but they destroyed it and made passages through the Wall. Eventually, the Romans decided to leave the Wall and move further to the south. Now it is under the UNESCO defence.

9. What did the Romans introduce in the life of the ancient islanders? What languages were spoken in Roman Britain?

The Romans brought a lot of things to Britain and certainly increased its cultural level. They built their towns with the drain system, markets and temples. The Romans built roman baths and beautifully decorated villas. The Romans introduced mozaic floors and heating system, flourish gardens full of fruits and vegetables. For instance, they brought asparagus, grapes, pears, apples, carrots, herbs and celery. It was popular among people to spend time in the Roman bath. Typical bath was a huge complex of different rooms with different temperatures of air and water and with different aims. It also had a very sophisticated system of pipes and pools.

The Romans also introduced Christianity in the life of the islanders. Although, most of the population remained pagans because the Romans didn't convert people to the new religion, the Christianity gradually began to spread in the late 2nd century. Church of that time is known as the Celtic Church. With the Christianity, the cultural level increased and the literacy began to spread. The first written chronicles appeared. The Latin language was used alongside the Celtic languages and a lot of Latin words were borrowed.