from which the subject people suffered were abolished.1 The Britons were also encouraged to adopt the habits of civilization. Their towns began to be adorned with temples and other public buildings which, to a great degree, were erected at the expense of the treasury. The young nobles were educated in the Roman learning, and showed, says Tacitus (again, we may conjecture, quoting an opinion of his father-inlaw), a marked superiority in ability over the Gauls. They were even initiated into the luxuries of the bath and the banquet, and so were taught to reconcile themselves to their subject condition.

The next two summers were spent in extending northwards the limits of the Roman dominion, and in strengthening its hold upon the conquered country. By the end of 81 a line of forts had been constructed between the estuaries of the Forth and the Clyde, and Britain to the south of that line was to all appearance reduced to complete submission.

It may be asked-indeed the historian himself suggests the question-why was not so wise and humane a ruler satisfied with what had been acquired, and content to do his best for conquests already made, without pushing forwards to new. "The glory of our name and the valour of our armies forbade," says Tacitus. Rome, in fact, was driven on by the

I The tribute, which was levied in money and wheat, had been made much more burdensome than was necessary by the exactions of the officials. One of their practices was to require the delivery of the specified quantity of corn, not at the most accessible depôt, but at some remote spot to which transport would be very costly. A bribe would be demanded before a more convenient arrangement would be sanctioned.

IRELAND FIRST MENTIONED IN HISTORY. 63

necessity which never allows a conquering nation to rest. As long as there were neighbours unsubdued, there were always fresh provocations, and fresh reasons, real or imagined, for hostilities. The armies, too, had to be employed. The throne depended upon their good will, and it was an universal experience that the more constantly they were engaged with the enemy, the more quiet and steady was their loyalty.

There was also at work another powerful reason, which, as Tacitus expressly tells us, was present to the mind of Agricola. In the summer of 82 he had sailed across the estuary of the Clyde, and was busy subjugating what is now known as the Mull of Cantyre. There he was visited by a petty prince from Ireland, which now appears for the first time in authentic history. His guest had been driven from his throne by some rival kinsmen, and applied to the Roman commander for help which might enable him to recover it. Agricola was disposed to entertain the application, and kept the banished prince with him for some time in the hope that an opportunity might occur for making him useful. Tacitus continues, "I have often heard him say that Ireland could be conquered and held by a single legion and a moderate contingent of auxiliaries, and that such a conquest would help greatly to consolidate our power in Britain. With the arms of Rome everywhere, freedom would be, so to speak, out of the sight of its people." It

I Tacitus' words are, "That part of Britain which looks towards Ireland." This, of course, might be understood of Wigtown, but it seems clear that the country north of the Clyde is intended.

was thus not only the actual power of the free tribes beyond their borders, but the contagious example of their liberty that the conquerors feared. Here are to be found the motives for the long campaigns, so wasteful both of treasure and life, which they fought for the possession of the barren mountains of Northern Scotland.

As my subject is the history of the southern part of the island, I will pass very briefly over the remaining campaigns of Agricola. In 83 he crossed the Forth, as he had crossed the Clyde, and gained some successes, not, however, without meeting with at least one heavy loss in a night attack on one of his legions. In the following summer he pushed further to the northward and westward, till he met the confederated hosts of the Caledonians at a spot now known, it is believed, as Murdoch Moor, near the southern spurs of the Grampians. The Caledonians were commanded by a chieftain whose name is given in the Latinized form of Calgacus. Tacitus puts into his mouth a splendid piece of invective against the tyranny and greed of Rome, while he attributes to Agricola a noble and dignified defence of the empire exercised by his country. A fierce battle occurred, in which the natives displayed a desperate valour, but were unable to make head against the superior arms and discipline of their antagonists, and suffered a total defeat. As many as ten thousand were left dead on the field of battle. The Romans lost three hundred and sixty, among whom there was only one officer of rank.

Murdoch Moor is in Aberfoyle parish in Perthshire.

RECALL OF AGRICOLA.

65

This great victory brought the career of Agricola to a close. He was recalled by the Emperor Domitian, whose jealousy had been roused by his successes, and left the island before the end of the year (84).

VIII.

THE ROMAN WALLS.

FOR more than thirty years after the recall of Agricola the history of Britain is almost a blank. We know that the successor of Agricola was one Sallustius Lucullus, and that Domitian, in a fit of jealousy, put him to death because he had allowed his own name to be given a new pattern of spearhead. But the most important, passage that bears on the subject occurs in Tacitus' brief review of the period between the death of Galba and the death of Domitian." Britain," he says, "Britain," he says, "was thoroughly conquered, and immediately left to itself." The "thorough conquest" refers, of course, to the campaign of Agricola. The word which I have translated by "left to itself," has been variously interpreted. Perhaps this phrase is too strong, as "abandoned " certainly would

I

Suetonius, who tells the story, calls him “ legate of Britain." Legatus, in its strict use, meant an officer who assisted the governor of a province. But Tacitus and other writers of the Empire use it as equivalent to governor, and so I take it in this passage.