Brass Coin of Severus. THE ROMAN ERA. B.C. 57.-A.D. 418. Caius Julius Cæsar prepares for an expedition into Britain. The Britons, hearing of his preparations, dispatch ambassadors to Cæsar, who sends them back accompanied by Commius, king of the Atrebates b. Commius, counselling submission, is imprisoned by the Britons. Caius Volusenus is sent to the coast of Britain to announce the coming of Cæsar and procure information, but returns on the fifth day without having ventured to land. Cæsar sails from Gessoriacum (now Boulogne), at midnight of August 26, and effects a landing after a severe contest near the South Foreland, August 27. His force consisted of the 7th and 10th legions, about 10,000 men; a body of horse was to have followed, but was delayed by bad weather. Ambassadors come from the Britons to Cæsar and a peace is concluded, August 30. The Roman fleet greatly damaged by the high tides, on the same night. The Veneti inhabited the southern coast of Gallia Celtica, in the modern department of Morbihan. The Atrebates inhabited northern Gaul, in The foraging parties of the Romans are assailed, and their camp unsuccessfully attacked by the Britons. Cæsar, after losing many men in action with the Britons, accepts a promise of hostages, and retires to Gaul about September 20. Cæsar having sent an account of his expedition to Rome, a twenty days' festival is in consequence decreed. Two only of the British states send the promised hostages. Cæsar would appear to have retired somewhat precipitately from the island, as Xiphilinus, in recording the speech which Dio Cassius ascribes to Bunduica (Boudicea) makes her speak of their ancestors having "driven far away that Julius Cæsar." B.C. 54. Cæsar builds a fleet of light vessels, which he employs in a second invasion of Britain. Sails from Itius Portus (near Wissant) in May, having been detained 23 days by bad weather, and lands unopposed in Britain. His army now comprised 25,000 foot and 2,000 horse, and required a fleet of 800 ships for its transport. Cassivellaunus, as generalissimo of the Britons, collects a force to oppose the Romans. The Roman fleet damaged by a storm. A party of the Romans defeated, and the tribune Laberius killed near Artois, and the modern department Pas de Calais, on their subjection by the Romans, Commius was appointed their King. There was also a tribe of Atrebates in the south of Britain. the river Stour, in Kent. The Britons harass Cæsar's march. Cassivellaunus is defeated, and sur renders. Cæsar returns to Gaul before the end of September. B.C. 51. Commius, the former dependant 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, after a time, takes the style of Augustus and Emperor. Cæsar crosses the Tamesis (Thames). "Cæsar attempting to pass a large river of Britain," says Polyænus", "Casolaulus, king of the Britons, obstructed him with many horsemen and chariots. Cæsar had in his train a very large elephant, an animal hitherto unseen by the Britons. Having armed him with scales of iron, and put a large tower upon him, and placed therein archers and slingers, he ordered them to enter the stream. The Britons were amazed on beholding a beast till then unseen, and of an extraordinary nature. As to the horses what need we write of them, since even among the Greeks horses flee at seeing an elephant though without harness; but thus towered and armed, and cast-parations of Augustus for a fresh ining darts and slinging, they could not endure even to look upon the sight: the Britons therefore fled with their horses and chariots. Thus the Romans passed the river without molestation, having terrified the enemy by a single animal." The tribes of the eastern and central parts of Britain come to terms with Cæsard. Cæsar takes the capital of Cassivellaunus, (afterwards Verulamium, now St. Alban's). Cassivellaunus incites the tribes in Cantium (Kent) to attack the Roman camp. The written history of Britain ceases with the second withdrawal of Cæsar, and only recommences with the pre vasion about 20 years after; but the want is partially supplied by the information afforded by coins that have been discovered. From these we learn the names of several British princes in the interval, of whom the one with the widest rule appears to have been Tasciovanus. He governed the central and 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 (Colchester). The coins of these rulers are of gold, and both in their devices and style of TASCID CVNO Gold Coins of Tasciovanus and of Cunobelin. joined. NA B.C. 34. art evidence a degree of civilization nobelin, found in Essex, are also subvery 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. Some brass coins of Cu A Greek author of the second century, who wrote a book on "Stratagems in War." d These were the Trinobantes, Cenimagni, Ancalites, Bibroci, Segontiaci, and Cassi, dwelling in the district from the Thames to the Wash, and Augustus proceeds to Gaul with the view of invading Britain, but is stopped by a revolt of some of the Gaulish tribes. westward as far as Hampshire, Berkshire, and Oxfordshire. The Trinobantes, whose king Imanuantius had been killed by Cassivellaunus, were the first to abandon the confederacy. Brass Coins of Cunobelin, found at Chesterford. ried these shells to Rome that he might Augustus having resumed his pre-exhibit his spoils to the citizens." parations, the Britons send him ambassadors and tribute. A.D. I. The received commencement of the Christian era. A.D. 14. A.D. 4I. 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 Augustus dies, August 19. He is Britain. succeeded by Tiberius. 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. 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 Colchester, 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. "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 ex-duce the southern part of Britain, and citing 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, gave considerable largesses to his soldiers, and car According to the ordinary computation. Ussher and other writers place the birth of Our Lord four years earlier. 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, a much later writer. Aulus Plautius and Vespasian reobtain tribute from the more distant tribes". The Picts are subdued. A.D. 50. The Orcades were among the number, according to Eutropius (a comparatively late writer), but Tacitus asserts on the contrary that they were first discovered and subjugated by Agricola. See A.D. 84. h Given in the spurious Synopsis of Dorotheus, a 6th century production. quests of his predecessors, builds a chain of forts between the rivers Nen and Severn, ravages both the west and the north, and defeats Caractacus, the king of the Silures. Caractacus is treacherously delivered up to the Romans, but being sent to the emperor is by him set at liberty. Ostorius is unsuccessful against the Silures, and dies. Valens and a Roman legion defeated by the Silures. A.D. 51. Aulus Didius sent to command in Britain. Venusius, at the head of the Brigantes, maintains the war. A.D. 54. | 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 Claudius dies, Oct. 13. Nero suc- great slaughter made of the Romans ceeds. A.D. 57. and their allies. Suetonius reduces Mona(Anglesey)", Veranius succeeds Aulus Didius as but is recalled by the news of the proprætor, but 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 by Seneca', revolt. Boudicea, the widow of Prasutagus, king of the Iceni, heads the Britons. Xiphilinus, after recounting certain prodigies by which he says this event was heralded, adds, “She, however, 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 | i 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. Caractacus is believed to have been a son of Cunobelin, driven out from Essex by the Romans, and then chosen as their leader by the Silures. Welsh tradition, however, claims him for a Silurian, and ascribes to his father Bran the introduction of Christianity into Britain, he having been carried prisoner with his son to Rome, and there converted by the preaching of St. Paul. "Seneca, having lent them, against their will, 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. The Britons are defeated with terrible slaughter near Londinium by Suetonius. A.D. 68. guage, were become fond of acquiring Thus they Nero put to death, June 9. He is the Roman eloquence. 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 consequence. 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. Vespasian becomes emperor. A.D. 70. Petilius Cerealis, lieutenant in Britain; Agricola serves under him, and the Fourteenth Legion is designated the "Conquerors of Britain." A.D. 75. 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 Tava (the Frith of Tay). A.D. 81. Agricola's fourth campaign. He builds a chain of forts between Clota and Bodotria (the Friths of Clyde and Forth). Titus dies, September 13, and is Julius Frontinus, proprætor in Bri- succeeded by Domitian. tain. A.D. 79. Vespasian dies, June 24. He 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 lan 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. 66 forces in that part of Britain which Agricola," says Tacitus, "placed 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 mer chants." |