Tacit. _Hist._ lib. iii. c. 45. Tacitus, in his Life of Agricola, implies that Vettius did nothing, and was not equal to his position; but in his sketch of the previous governors it is manifest that he endeavours to enhance the fame of his hero by lessening the merits of his predecessors. The account of the war is taken from his History, where, although he does not name Vettius, it is plain that the events there narrated happened during his government, and this accords with the lines of Statius (see Note ^{38}), which, making due allowance for a panegyrist, certainly imply a war, the result of which had reflected credit upon him. The allusion to the Rex Britannus, from whom he took the ‘thorax,’ is curious. Venusius is probably meant. Footnote 35: This narrative of the wars of the Romans with the provincials and the Brigantes is condensed from Tacitus’s account in the Annals, the History, and the Life of Agricola. Footnote 36: Lucan (A.D. 65) is the first who mentions them— Aut vaga quum Tethys, Rutupinaque litora fervent, Unda Caledonios fallit turbata Britannos.—(vi. 67.) Martial (A.D. 96) says— Quincte Caledonios Ovidi visure Britannos Et viridem Tethyn Oceanumque patrem.—(x. 44.) Footnote 37: Valerius Flaccus (A.D. 70) says— Caledonius postquam tua carbasa vexit Oceanus.—(_Argon._ 1. 7.). Footnote 38: Statius (A.D. 96) has the following line in his panegyric upon Vettius Bolanus— Quanta Calydonios attollet gloria campos. (v. 2. 140.) Footnote 39: Triginta prope jam annis notitiam ejus Romanis armis non ultra vicinitatem Sylvæ Caledoniæ propagantibus.—(Plin. iv. 30.) Footnote 40: A Caledoniæ promontorio Thulen petentibus bidui navigatione perfecto excipiunt Hebudes insulæ quinque numero.—(Solinus, _Polyhistor._ c. 22.) Footnote 41: _Ibid._ Footnote 42: Silius Italicus (A.D. 68) says— Hinc pater ignotam donabit vincere Thulen, Inque Caledonios primus trahet agmina lucos (_Pun._ iii. 597); and implies that the inhabitants of Thule had encountered the Romans when he says, in another place— Cærulus haud aliter, quum dimicat incola Thules, Agmina falcifero circumvenit arta covinno. Statius says of Vettius Bolanus— Quantusque nigrantem Fluctibus occiduis fessoque Hyperione Thulen Intrarit mandata gerens.... Compare this with the line previously quoted. Footnote 43: