B.C. 51. Commius, the former ally of Cæsar, having taken arms against the Romans and been defeated, flees for refuge to Britain.

B.C. 44. Cæsar is slain in the Senate-house, March

15. Octavianus, his nephew, succeeds to his power, and takes the style of Augustus and Emperor.

The written history of Britain ceases with the second withdrawal of Cæsar, and only recommences with the preparations of Augustus for a fresh invasion about 20 years after; but the want is partially supplied by the information afforded by coins that have been discovered, from which we learn that Tasciovanus reigned in the interval, probably over the eastern districts; and it is conjectured that his son was Cunobelin, whose capital occupied the site on which was afterwards planted the Roman colony of Camulodunum.

These coins are of gold, and both in their devices and style of art evidence a degree of civilization very unlike what might be expected if Cæsar's description of Britain were considered to apply to the whole country, instead of being restricted to the small part that fell under his personal observation.

B.C. 34. Augustus proceeds to Gaul with the view

of invading Britain, but is stopped by a revolt of some of the Gaulish tribes.

B.C. 26. Augustus having resumed his preparations, the Britons send him ambassadors and tribute.

A.D. 1. The birth of our Lord and Saviour.

A.D. 14. Augustus dies, August 19. He is succeeded by Tiberius, who is said by Henry of Huntingdon to rule over Britain.

A.D. 16. Some Roman soldiers, shipwrecked on the shore of Britain, are protected and sent back by the chiefs.

A.D. 32. Our Lord is crucified.

A.D. 37. Death of Tiberius, March 26. Caligula succeeds.

A.D. 40. Caligula, prevailed on by a fugitive Briton, prepares to invade the island, but proceeds no further than the coast of Gaul.

"Caius, arriving at the ocean," says Dio Cassius," as though intending to war in Britain, and drawing up all his troops along the beach, went on board a trireme, and having launched out a little distance from the land, returned again. And shortly after this, sitting on a lofty throne, and giving a signal to the soldiers as if for battle, and exciting them by his trumpeters, he then suddenly ordered them to gather up sea shells. And having taken such booty, for it would seem that he wanted spoils for the pomp of triumphal honours, he was as highly elated as though he had subdued the very ocean,

This man's name is variously given: Adminius, son of Cinobellinus, king of Britain, by Suetonius, and Minocynobellinus, son of the king of the Britons, by Paulus Orosius.

gave considerable largesses to his soldiers, and carried these shells to Rome that he might exhibit his spoils to the citizens."

A.D. 41. Caligula is assassinated, January 24. Claudius succeeds.

A.D. 43. Bericus, a fugitive whose surrender had been demanded, persuades Claudius to undertake the conquest of Britain.

Aulus Plautius invades the island, and defeats the Britons.

Vespasian (afterwards emperor) sent to Britain.

Claudius visits the island, captures the principal town of Cunobelin, (afterwards Camulodunum, now Maldon, in Essex,) and after sixteen days' residence in Britain returns to Rome.

A.D. 44. Claudius celebrates the "conquest of Britain" by a triumph at Rome, and, with his son, assumes the surname of Britannicus.

A.D. 47. Aulus Plautius and Vespasian reduce the southern part of Britain, and obtain tribute from the more distant tribes.

• The Orcades were among the number, according to Eutropius, but Tacitus asserts on the contrary that they were first discovered and subjugated by Agricola.

The Picts are subdued.

Simon Zelotes is said by Dorotheus to have suffered martyrdom in Britain about this time.

A.D. 50. Ostorius Scapula extends the conquests of his predecessors, builds a chain of forts between the rivers Nen and Avon, ravages both the west and the north, and defeats Caractacus, the king of the Silures.

Caractacus is treacherously delivered up to the Romans, and being sent to the emperor is by him set at liberty h

Ostorius is unsuccessful against the Silures, and dies. Valens and a Roman legion defeated by the Silures.

A.D. 51. Aulius Didius sent to command in Britain. Venusius, at the head of the Brigantes, maintains the

war.

A.D. 54. Claudius dies, Oct. 13. Nero succeeds. A.D. 57. Veranius succeeds Aulus Didius as proprætor, and dies shortly after.

A.D. 58. Suetonius Paulinus sent to govern Britain; Agricola serves under him.

A.D. 61. The Britons, oppressed by Catus Decianus, the procurator, and Seneca, the money-lender, revolt. Boudicea, the widow of Prasutagus, king of the Iceni, heads the Britons.

Xiphiline, after recounting certain prodigies by which he says this event was heralded, adds, "She, however,

The country of the Cangii and the Brigantes, now Somersetshire and Yorkshire, and the more northern counties.

The people of South Wales, Herefordshire, and Monmouthshire. h Welsh tradition ascribes the introduction of Christianity to Bri. tain, to Bran, the father of Caractacus, who is said to have been converted at Rome by the preaching of St. Paul.

who chiefly excited and urged them to fight against the Romans was Bunduica, who was deemed worthy to command them, and who led them in every battle; a Briton of royal race, and breathing more than female spirit. Having collected, therefore, an army to the number of about 120,000, she, after the Roman custom, ascended a tribunal made of marshy earth. She was of the largest size, most terrible of aspect, most savage of countenance, and harsh of voice: having a profusion of yellow hair which fell down to her hips, and wearing a large golden collar; she had on a parti-coloured floating vest drawn close about her bosom, and over this she wore a thick mantle connected by a clasp: such was her usual dress; but at this time she also bore a spear, that thus she might appear more formidable to all, and she spake after this manner," &c. The speech, beside being imaginary, is too long for quotation. "Having thus harangued, Bunduica led her army against the Romans, who were at that time without a chief, because Paulinus, then commander, was warring against Mona."

Verulamium, Camulodunum, and other Roman posts, captured, and a great slaughter made of the Romans and their allies.

Suetonius reduces Mona (Anglesey), but is recalled by the news of the revolt.

Londinium (London), already, according to Tacitus "famed for the vast conflux of traders, and her abundant commerce and plenty," destroyed by the Britons. Petilius Cerealis and the Ninth Legion routed. Catus Decianus escapes to Gaul.

¡ See p. viii.