Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 hrs ago
Study finds Iron Age ruler Verica was a woman
Bournemouth University researchers say Verica was a woman, overturning the long-held assumption that the Iron Age ruler was male.
She ruled the Atrebates, whose territory covered much of what is now Hampshire and parts of Wiltshire.
Researchers point to her name and coins depicting her, and say the Latin title “rex” on the coins did not mean she was a man.
Verica was driven from power in 40 AD and fled to Rome, where Emperor Claudius ruled.
The researchers say she helped persuade Claudius to invade Britain in 43 AD and provided tactical information and support.
Her role links her exile to Rome’s invasion of Britain, which became a major military achievement for Claudius.
Bournemouth University researchers argue that Verica, an Iron Age ruler usually described as a king, was probably a woman.
The researchers point to Verica’s name, coin inscriptions and images, and the lack of clear evidence that Verica was male.
Verica ruled the Atrebates, was ousted around 40 CE and fled to Rome.
Roman historian Cassius Dio wrote that Verica persuaded Emperor Claudius to invade Britain in 43 CE.
Prehistoric archaeologist Katharina Rebay-Salisbury called the argument compelling but questioned whether stylised coin images can establish gender.
- Who
- Verica, ruler of the Atrebates, is argued by Bournemouth University researchers to have been a woman.
- What
- Researchers reassessed Verica’s gender, pointing to the ruler’s name and coins.
- When
- The research was reported on 5 November 2026. Verica was ousted around 40 CE, before the Roman invasion in 43 CE.
- Where
- The Atrebates ruled territory in southern Britain; Verica fled to Rome after being ousted.
- Why
- Researchers say the name, coin imagery and inscriptions support identifying Verica as female.
Bournemouth University researchers
Katharina Rebay-Salisbury
Gender evidence
Bournemouth University researchers
The researchers argue that Verica was female, citing the name, coin imagery and inscriptions.
Katharina Rebay-Salisbury
Rebay-Salisbury says the argument is compelling but finds it difficult to distinguish male and female bodies in stylised coin images.
Verica was ousted from power and fled to Rome.
Emperor Claudius’s expedition to Britain succeeded, according to the articles.
Articles reported the researchers’ argument that Verica was a woman.
- Research institution
- Bournemouth University
- Research leader
- Miles Russell
- Tribe
- Atrebates
- Ousting
- Around 40 CE
- Roman invasion
- 43 CE
- Coin inscription
- Rex, which researchers say was not gender-specific
4 sources
The Iron Age King Who Lured Rome Into Britain Was Actually a Woman, Archaeologists Say
Iron Age King was a WOMAN! Study reveals the true identity of 'Verica' - a ruler who was central to the Roman Invasion of Britain
Famed Iron Age king was actually a woman
British Iron Age ‘king’ who prompted Roman invasion was probably a woman
What people are saying
Verica is probably the most important person at the end of the Iron Age, at that point where Britain gets dragged kicking and screaming into history
Verica was not only critical to the special relationship between Britain and Rome in the early first century AD but was indisputably female.
It is a highly compelling argument
I find it a bit difficult to differentiate a naked female body from a naked male body in these very stylised images.