The Germany and the Agricola of TacitusTacitus, Cornelius
History
The Germany and the Agricola of Tacitus
Tacitus, Cornelius
Agricola, Gnaeus Julius, 40-93; Germanic peoples -- Early works to 1800; Statesmen -- Rome -- Biography -- Early works to 1800
[61] Camden mentions pearls being found in the counties of Caernarvon
and Cumberland, and in the British sea. Mr. Pennant, in his "Tour in
Scotland in 1769," takes notice of a considerable pearl fishery out of
the fresh-water mussel, in the vicinity of Perth, from whence 10,000_l._
worth of pearls were sent to London from 1761 to 1764. It was, however,
almost exhausted when he visited the country. See also the fourth volume
of Mr. Pennant's Br. Zool. (Class vi. No. 18), where he gives a much
more ample account of the British pearls. Origen, in his Comment. on
Matthew, pp. 210, 211, gives a description of the British pearl, which,
he says, was next in value to the Indian;--"Its surface is of a gold
color, but it is cloudy, and less transparent than the Indian." Pliny
speaks of the British unions as follows:--"It is certain that small and
discolored ones are produced in Britain; since the deified Julius has
given us to understand that the breastplate which he dedicated to Venus
Genitrix, and placed in her temple, was made of British pearls."--ix.
35.
[62] Caesar's two expeditions into Britain were in the years of Rome
699 and 700. He himself gives an account of them, and they are also
mentioned by Strabo and Dio.
[63] It was the wise policy of Augustus not to extend any further the
limits of the empire; and with regard to Britain, in particular, he
thought the conquest and preservation of it would be attended with more
expense than it could repay. (Strabo, ii. 79, and iv. 138.) Tiberius,
who always professed an entire deference for the maxims and injunctions
of Augustus, in this instance, probably, was convinced of their
propriety.
[64] Caligula.
[65] Claudius invaded Britain in the year of Rome 796, A.D. 43.
[66] In the parish of Dinder, near Hereford, are yet remaining the
vestiges of a Roman encampment, called Oyster-hill, as is supposed from
this Ostorius. Camden's Britain, by Gibson, p. 580.
[67] That of Camalodunum, now Colchester, or Maldon.
[68] The Mona of Tacitus is the Isle of Anglesey, that of Caesar is the
Isle of Man, called by Pliny Monapia.
[69] The avarice of Catus Decidianus the procurator is mentioned as the
cause by which the Britons were forced into this war, by Tacitus, Annal.
xiv. 32.
[70] Julius Classicianus, who succeeded Decidianus, was at variance with
the governor, but was no less oppressive to the province.
[71] By the slaughter of Varus.
[72] The Rhine and Danube.
[73] Boadicea, whose name is variously written Boudicea, Bonduca,
Voadicea, &c., was queen of the Iceni, or people of Suffolk, Norfolk,
Cambridgeshire, and Huntingdonshire. A particular account of this revolt
is given in the Annals, xiv. 31, and seq.
[74] Of Camalodunum.
[75] This was in A.D. 61. According to Tac. Hist. i. 6, Petronius
Turpilianus was put to death by Galba, A.D. 68.
[76] The date of his arrival is uncertain.
[77] He was sent to Britain by Vespasian, A.D. 69.
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