The Britons are defeated with terrible slaughter near Londinium by Suetonius. Boudicea dies, and the Britons abandon the contest. A.D. 62. Suetonius recalled, and succeeded by Petronius Turpilianus. tain. A.D. 65. Trebellius Maximus is proprætor in Bri St. Peter visits Britain, erects churches, and appoints bishops *. A.D. 67. Aristobulus, one of the seventy disciples, dies in Britain1. A.D. 68. Nero put to death, June 9; succeeded by Galba. A.D. 69. Galba is killed, January 16. Otho succeeds, and Vitellius also is chosen emperor; great dissension among the Roman legions in Britain in conse quence. Venusius again heads the Britons. Trebellius Maximus, the Roman lieutenant, abandons his post. Vettius Bolanus sent as lieutenant to Britain by Vitellius. Agricola succeeds to the military command. A.D. 70. Petilius Cærialis, lieutenant in Britain; Agricola serves under him, and the Fourteenth Legion is designated the "Conquerors of Britain." A.D. 75. Julius Frontinus, proprætor in Britain. She committed suicide, according to Tacitus; but according to Xiphiline she died a natural death, and was interred with great funereal splendour. According to the Greek Menology. 1 Ibid. A.D. 78. Agricola appointed to the command. In his first campaign he conquers Mona. A.D. 79. Vespasian dies, June 24, and is succeeded by Titus. Agricola's second campaign; he overruns the whole country, and induces many of the chiefs to give hostages and to allow their sons to receive a Roman education. "To the end," says Tacitus, "that these people, thus wild and dispersed over the country, and thence easily instigated to war, might by a taste of pleasures be reconciled to inactivity and repose, he first privately exhorted them, then publicly assisted them, to build temples, houses, and places of assembling. Upon such as were willing and assiduous in these pursuits he heaped commendations, and reproofs upon the lifeless and slow; so that a competition for this distinction and honour had all the force of necessity. He was already taking care to have the sons of their chiefs taught the liberal sciences, preferring the natural capacity of the Britons to the studied acquirements of the Gauls; and such was his success, that they who had lately scorned to learn the Roman language, were become fond of acquiring the Roman eloquence. Thus they began to honour our apparel, and the use of the Roman gown grew frequent among them. By degrees they proceeded to the incitements and charms of vice and dissoluteness, to magnificent galleries, sumptuous baths, and all the stimulations and elegance of banqueting. Nay, all this innovation was by the inexperienced styled politeness and humanity, when it was indeed part of their bondage." A.D. 80. Agricola's third campaign, in which he advances as far as Taua (the Frith of Tay). A.D. 81. Agricola's fourth campaign; he builds a chain of forts between Glota and Bodotria (the Friths of Clyde and Forth). Titus dies, September 13, and is succeeded by Domitian. A.D. 82. Agricola's fifth campaign, in which he visits the north-western coast of Britain: a fugitive chief from Ierne (Ireland) is received by him. "Agricola," says Tacitus, "placed forces in that part of Britain which fronts Ireland, more from future views than from any present fear. In truth, Ireland, as it lies just between Britain and Spain, and is capable of an easy communication with the coast of Gaul, would have proved of infinite use in linking together these limbs of the empire. In size it is inferior to Britain, but surpasses the islands in our sea. In soil and climate, as also in the temper and manners of the natives, it varies little from Britain. Its ports and landings are better known, through the frequency of commerce and merchants." A.D. 83. Agricola's sixth campaign, beyond the Frith of Clyde. The Caledonians attack the Romans, and are defeated. A cohort of Germans, attempting to desert, sail round the extremity of the island, are wrecked, and sold into slavery. A.D. 84. Agricola's seventh campaign, in which he defeats the Caledonians under Galgacus. The Horestanim obliged to give hostages. Agricola sails round Britain, and discovers the Orcades, according to Tacitus. See A.D. 47. A triumph is decreed to Agricola, who resigns his command. A.D. 85. Sallustius Lucullus, proprætor in Britain, killed by order of Domitian. mans. A.D. 86. Arviragus heads a revolt against the Ro A.D. 96. Domitian is killed, September 18. Nerva succeeds. A.D. 98. Nerva dies, January 21; is succeeded by Trajan. A.D. 106. Neratius Marcellus præfect in Britain. succeeds. Hadrian The Britons endeavour to throw off the Roman yoke. A.D. 120. Hadrian visits Britain. Ituna (the Tyne and Solway Frith), to separate the Roman province from the unsubdued tribes; known as the Picts' Wall. A.D. 124. Platorius Nepos, proprætor. A.D. 130. Mænius Agrippa, præfect of the fleet on the British shore. A.D. 133. Licinius Italicus, proprætor. A.D. 138. Hadrian dies, July 10; is succeeded by Antoninus. The Brigantes despoiled of great part of their land. A.D. 139. Lollius Urbicus, proprætor, constructs a rampart between the Forth and Clyde, on the site of the forts of Agricola; known as Graham's Dyke". A.D. 140. Valerius Pansa proconsul; Seius Saturninus, præfect of the fleet. A.D. 161. Antoninus dies, March 7; is succeeded by Marcus Aurelius, who takes for his colleague Lucius Verus. Also called the Wall of Antoninus, in honour of the reigning emperor. |