Britain by the Romans, the founder of the Christian religion had accomplished his divine mission, in a province of the Roman empire, but almost without observation at Rome. In the reign of Claudius the Romans began to think seriously of reducing the Britons under their dominion, and Plautius, an able general, sent over A.D. 43, gained some victories, and made considerable progress in subduing the inhabitants. Claudius himself finding matters sufficiently prepared for his reception, made a journey into Britain, and received the submission of several British states, among which were the Cantic, Antrebates, Regni, and Trinobantes, who inhabited the south-east part of the island. The other Britons under the command of Caractacus still maintained an obstinate resistance, and the Romans made little progress against them till Ostorious Scapula was sent over, in the year 50, to command the armies. This general rapidly advanced the Roman conquests over the Britons, pierced into the country of the Silures—a warlike tribe who inhabited the banks of the Severn, and fought a great battle with Caractaeus upon the hill called Caer Caradoc, not far from Clun, on which are the remains of an ancient fortification still to be seen. In this battle the British leader artfully availed himself of his knowledge of the country, and posted himself on a spot, the approaches and retreats of which were as advantageous to his own party as they were perplexing to the enemy. Caractacus running from one part of the camp to another, animated them by the valorous deeds of their ancestors, and told them that the work of that day would be the beginning of new liberty or of eternal slavery. The people received these animated harangues with loud acclamations, and engaged according to the solemn rites of their religion, never to yield to weapons or wounds. Their resolution astonished the Roman general, and the river which flows at the foot of the hill, together with the ramparts and steeps, presented to the assailants a formidable and resolute appearance. The Britons, who had no armour or helmets to shelter them, were at length thrown into confusion, and great numbers of them perished by the broad swords and javelins of the legionaries, who obtained an illustrious victory. The wife and daughter of Caractacus were taken prisoners, and his brother submitted to the conqueror. Caractacus threw himself upon the protection of the Queen of Brigantes, and was treacherously delivered up to the Romans shortly after. The fame of Caractacus had reached Rome, and the people were assembled as to some great sight when the British prisoners arrived there. First in the procession we are informed came the king’s dependants and retinue, and the trappings and collars and trophies which he had won in war; next his brothers, his wife and daughter, and last himself was presented to public view; his body was mostly naked and painted with figures of beasts; he wore a chain of iron about his neck,