Chapter 16

_Ut--transierit_. The clause is obscure. The best that can be made of it is this: _they were encompassed by forts and garrisons with so much skill and care that no part of Britain hitherto now went over_ (to the enemy) _with impunity_ (literally unattacked). For the meaning of _nova_, cf. 22. For _transierit_, cf. _transitio_, H. 2, 99; 3, 61; and Freund, sub v. This is Walther's interpretation. If, with Ernesti, Dr. and some others, we might suppose a _sic_, _ita_ or _tam_ to be understood with _illacessita_, we might obtain perhaps a better sense, viz. _came over_ (to the Romans) _with so little annoyance_ (from the enemy). In the last edition a meaning was attached to _transierit_ (_remained_, sc. unattacked), for which I now find no sufficient authority. Among the many amendments, which have been suggested, the easiest and best is that of Susius, followed by Wexius, Dübner, Or. and Rit, viz. placing _Illacessita transiit_ at the beginning of the next chapter. But this does violence not only to MS. authority, but to Latin usage in making the adverb _ut, so as, as_, follow _tanta_. In such a connection, _ut_ must be a conjunction==_so that, that_. See Freund sub v. For the _perf_. subj. cf. note, 18: _crediderint_.

_Praesidiis castellisque_. Gordon, in his Itinerarium Septentrionale, found more remains of Roman works in that part of Britain here referred to, than in any other portion of the Island.

XXI. _Ut--assuescerent_. _In order that they might become habituated_, etc.--_In bella faciles. Easily inclined to wars_. Cf. Ann. 14, 4: _facili ad gaudia_. Al. _in bello, bello_, and _in bellum_.--_Otio_. See note, 11: otio.--_Privatim. As a private individual; publice, by public authority, and of course from the public treasury_, cf. note G. 39: publice.--_Jam vero_. _Moreover_, cf. G. 14, note.

_Anteferre_. Wr. takes this word in its primary sense==bear before, i.e. carry beyond: _he carried (advanced) the native talents of the Britons beyond the learning of the Gauls_. But there is no authority for such a use of the word, when followed by the acc. and dat. It is doubtless used in its more ordinary sense; and the _preference_ which A. expressed for the genius of the Britons over the learning of the Gauls, _stimulated_ them to greater exertions. It is somewhat curious to observe thus early that mutual emulation and jealousy, which has marked the whole history of Britain and France. The national vanity of La Bletterie is sorely wounded by this remark of T. See his note in loco, also Murphy's.--_Toga_. Cf. note on _togatos_, 9.

_Ut--concupiscerent_. _Ut==so that_, denoting a consequence. The verb here denotes a continued or habitual state of mind. Hence the _imp_. subj. Cf. note, 18: _crediderit_.

_Discessum_, sc. a patrum moribus ad vitia varia. Dr.

_Delenimenta_==illa, quibus animi _leniuntur_. Dr. _Charms, blandishments_. Cf. H. 1, 77. The word is not found in Cic. or Caes.

_Humanitas. Civilisation, refinement_. Compare the professorships of _humanity_ in European Universities.

_Pars servitutis_. For the sentiment, cf. His. 4, 64: voluptatibus, quibus Romani plus adversus subjectos, quam armis valent. _Cum==while, although_. Hence the subj.

XXII. _Tertius--annus_. _Third campaign_.

_Taum_. The Frith of Tay.--_Nationibus_. Here synonymous with _gentes_; sometimes less comprehensive, cf. note, G. 2.

_Pactione ac fuga_. Al. _aut_ fuga, but without authority. There are but two distinct clauses marked by _aut--aut: either taken by assault or abandoned by capitulation and flight_.

_Nam--firmabantur_. This clause assigns a reason, why the Romans were _able_ to make frequent sorties (_crebrae eruptiones_), viz. supplies of provision so abundant, as to be proof against blockade.

_Moras obsidionis. A protracted siege_, or _blockade_.

_Annuis copiis. Supplies for a year_. This is the _primary_ signification of _annuus_; that of our word _annual_ is _secondary_.

_Intrepida--praesidio_==hiberna quieta ac tuta ab hostibus. Fac. and For. --_Irritis, baffled_. Seldom applied to _persons_ by prose writers. Cf. H. 4, 32.

_Pensare_. R. remarks a peculiar fondness in T. for the use of the simple verb instead of the compound, e.g. missa for omissa, sistens for resistens, flammare for inflammare, etc. So here _pensare==compensare_. Cf. 12: _trahuntur_, note.

_Avidus_, sc. laudis==per aviditatem laudis et gloriae. E.: A. never in his eagerness for glory arrogated to himself the honor of the achievements of others.--_Seu--seu. Every one, whether centurion or praefect_ (commander of a legion, cf. note, H. 1, 82.), _was sure to have in him an impartial witness to his deeds_.

_Acerbior_, cf. note on _durius_, 16.--_Apud quosdam_==a quibusdam.

_Secretum et silentium. Reserve and silence_. So W. and Ky. But R. and Dr.: _private interviews_ (to be summoned to which by some commanders was alarming), _and neglect of the usual salutations in public_ (which was also often a token of displeasure on the part of a superior officer). The former is the more simple and obvious, though it must be confessed that the latter is favored by the usus loquendi of T., in regard especially to _secretum_, cf. 39; Ann. 3, 8, where _secreto_ is opposed to _palam_; and His. 4, 49: incertum, quoniam _secreto eorum_ nemo _adfuit_.

XXIII. _Obtirendis. Securing possession of.--Pateretur_, sc. terminum inveniri.--_In ipsa Brit_. In the very _nature_ or structure of the island, as described in the sequel. See Or. in loc.

_Clota et Bodotria_. Frith of Clyde and Frith of Forth.

_Revectae_, i.e. the natural current being driven back by the tide from the sea on either side. _Angusto--spatio_. It is now cut across by a ship canal.

_Propior sinus_==peninsula on the south side of the Friths, cf, note on sinus G. 1, and 29. Sinus refers particularly to the _curved border_ on _this side_ the aestuaries. This border (wherever the friths were so narrow as to require it), as well as the narrow isthmus, was occupied and secured (_tenebatur_) by garrisons.

XXIV. _Nave prima_. The first Roman ship that ever visited those shores. So Br., Dr., etc. _The foremost ship_, sc., A. himself, followed by others in a line. So Ritter. Wr., and some others understand it of a voyage from _Rome_, where they suppose him to have passed the winter, and whence he crossed over to Britain by the _earliest_ vessel in the spring. W. and R. make _prima_ equivalent to an adv. and render: crossing over _for the first time_ by ship. Or. also makes _prima==tum primum_.

_Copiis_. Here troops with their equipments==_forces_, cf. 8: majoribus copiis.--_Medio sita_ lying between, not midway between. E.--_In spem-- formidinem_. More with the hope of invading Ireland, than through fear of invasion by the Irish.--_Valentissimam partem_, viz. Gaul, Spain and Britain.

_Miscuerit_. The subj. here denotes the aim or purpose of the projector: it would have done so _in his view_.

_Invicem_==an adj. _mutual.--Nostri maris_. The Mediterranean.

_Differunt: in melius_. The authorities differ greatly as to the reading, the pointing and the interpretation of this passage. Some copies omit _in_. Others insert _nec_ before it. Some place the pause before _in melius_, others after. Some read _differt_, others _differunt. Nec in melius_ would perhaps give the better sense. But the reading is purely conjectural. I have given that, which, on the whole, seems to rest on the best authority, and to make the best sense. The sense is: _the soil, climate, &c., do not differ much from those of Britain. But that the harbors and entrances to the country are better_ (lit. _differ for the better, differre in melius), is ascertained through the medium of the merchants, who resort thither for trade_ (for Ireland had not yet, like Britain, been explored by a Roman _army_). So Wr. and Död. On _in melius_, see note H. 1, 18. Or. and Rit. make the comparison thus: the harbors and entrances are better known, than the soil, climate, &c. The common interpretation is: the harbors, &c., of Ireland are better known, than those of Britain. But neither of these interpretations accounts for the position of _melius_; and the last is in itself utterly incredible.

_Ex eo_, sc. A. Pass. and Dr. understand it of the Irish chief, and infer that T. had been in Brit. But A. is the subject of the next sentence without the repetition of his name, as it would have been repeated, if this sentence referred to another.

XXV. _Amplexus_. Some supply _bello_, as in 17: bello amplexus. But better: embracing _in his plan of operations_, i.e. _extending his operations to those tribes_.

_Hostilis exercitus_. Al. hostili exercitu. But _hostilis exercitus_ in the MSS. and earliest editions.--_Infesta_ is here active: _hostile inroads of the enemy's forces_.

_In partem virium_. _For_, i.e. _as a part of his force_.

_Impelleretur_, was borne on with rapid and resistless power.

_Profunda--adversa_. Cf. note, 6: _inania honoris_.

_Mixti copiis et laetitia. Uniting their stores and their pleasures_, i.e. their respective means of entertainment. For _mixti_, cf. 4: locum--mixtum. For _copiis_ in this sense, 22: annuis copiis. For the other sense, viz. forces, 24: copiis, note.

_Hinc--hinc==on this side--on that_. Cf. note G. 14: _illum--illam_.-- _Victus_. Al. _auctus_.

_Ad manus et arma_. Ang. _to arms_.

_Oppugnasse_ depends on _fama_. Their preparations were great. Rumor as usual (_uti mos_, etc.) represented them still greater; for the rumor went abroad, that the Caledonians had _commenced offensive operations (oppugnasse ultra).--Castella adorti_ is the means by which they _metum addiderant_, i.e. _had inspired additional fear_.

_Pluribus agminibus. In several divisions_. Accordingly it is added: _diviso et ipse_, A. _himself also_, i.e. as well as the Britons, _having divided_, etc.

_Agmen_ (from ago), properly a body of men on the march.--_Exercitus_, under military drill (exerceo.)

XXVI. _Quod ubi_, etc. _When this was known_, etc. Latin writers, as well as Greek, generally link their sentences, chapters, &c., more closely together, than English. Hence we are often obliged to render their relative by our demonstrative. See Z. 803. _Ubi_, here adv. of _time_, as in 20, 38, et passim.

_Certabant_. Not _fought_ with the enemy, but _vied_ with each other. So below: utroque--certante. Hence followed by _de_ gloria, not _pro_ gloria, which some would substitute for it; _secure for_ (in regard to) _safety, they vied with each other in respect to_ (or _in_) _glory_. With _pro salute_, cf. His. 4, 58: pro me securior.

_Erupere. Sallied forth_, sc. from the camp.

_Utroque exercitu_. Each of the two _Roman_ armies.

_Quod_. Cf. 12, note.--_Debellatum_, lit. the war would have been fought _out_, i.e. _ended_.

XXVII. _Cujus_ refers to _victoria_ in the previous section (cf. _quod_ 26, note): _inspirited by the consciousness and the glory of this victory_.

_Modo cauti_. Compare the sentiment with 25: specie prudentium, etc.

_Arte--rati_, al. arte _usos_ rati by conjecture. But T. is fond of such ellipses: _The Britons, thinking it was not by superior bravery, but by favoring circumstances_ (on the part of the Romans) _and the skill of their commander_ (sc. that they had been defeated). Rit. reads _superati_.

_Utrimque_. Both the Romans and the Britons; the Romans excited by their victory, the Britons by their coetibus ac sacrificiis.

_Discessum. They separated_, viz. after the battle and at the close of the campaign.

XXVIII. _Cohors Usipiorum_. See same story, Dio Cass. 66, 20.

_Adactis. Forced on board.--Remiganto_==gubernante, to avoid sameness, with _gubernatoribus_, Br. R. supposes that having but one pilot left, only the vessel on which he sailed was _rowed_, while the others were towed by it; and this rowing _under his direction_ is ascribed to _him_. Some MSS. and many editions read _remigrante_, which some translate: _making his escape_, and others connect with _interfectis_, and suppose that he also was slain in trying to _bring back_ his boat to shore. Whether we read _remigante_ or _remigrante_, the signification of either is unusual.

_Praevehebantur_. Sailed along the coast (in sight of land).

_Inopiae_ is governed by _eo_, which is the old dat.==_to such a degree. --Ad extremum==at last_.

_Vescerentur_ followed by the acc. H. 419, 4. 1; Z. 466. For the imp. subj. cf. note 21: _ut--concupiscerent_.

_Amissis--navibus_. This is regarded by some as proof that _all_ the steersmen were slain or escaped. Dr. answers, that it may refer only to the _two_ ships that were without steersmen.

_Suevis_. A people of Northern Germany (G. 38, seq.) whither, after having circumnavigated Britain, the Usipii came.--_Mox, subsequently_, some having escaped the Suevi.

_Per commercia. In trade_, cf. same in 39.

_Nostram ripam_. The Gallic bank of the Rhine, which was the border of the Roman Empire, cf. G. passim.

_Quos--indicium--illustravit_. Whom the account of so wonderful an adventure rendered illustrious. The rule would require the subj. H. 501, I. 2; Z. 561.

XXIX. _Initio aestatis_, i.e. in the beginning of the _next_ summer (the 7th campaign, cf. 25: _aestate, qua sextum_, etc.), as the whole history shows. See especially _proximo anno_, 34. Hence the propriety of commencing a new section here. The common editions begin it below: _Igitur_, etc.

_Plerique_. Cf. note on it, 1.--_Fortium virorum_. _Military men_.

_Ambitiose, with affected fortitude, stoically_.--_Rursus_==contra, _on the contrary_, showing the antith. between _ambitiose_ and _per lamenta_. --_Per lamenta_, cf. 6: per caritatem.--_Igitur_, cf. 13, note.

_Quae--faceret_==ut ea faceret. H. 500; Z. 567. _Incertum_ is explained by _pluribus locis_. Render: _general alarm_.--_Expedito_==sine impedimentis, armis solis instructo. Fac. and For.--_Montem Grampium_. Now _Grampian hills_.

_Cruda--senectus_. Cf. Virg. Aen. 6, 304: sed cruda deo viridisque senectus. _Crudus_ is rarely found in this sense except in the poets. _Crudus_ properly==bloody (_cruor, cruidus_); hence the successive significations, raw, unripe, fresh, vigorous.--_Sua decora_==praemia ob virtutem bellicam accepta. E. Any and all _badges of distinction_, especially in _arms_. Wr., Or. and Dõd.

XXX. _Causas belli_. Explained by _universi servitutis expertes_ below, to be the defence of their liberties. In like manner, _nostram necessitatem_ is explained by _nullae ultra terrae_: there is no retreat for us, etc.--_Animus, Confidence_.

_Proelium--arma_. T. has a passion for _pairs_ of words, especially nouns, of _kindred signification_. See examples in Index to Histories; and in this chapter, _spem ac subsidium_; _recessus ac sinus_; _obsequiam ac modestiam_.

_Priores pugnae_, sc. in which the Caledonians took no part.--_Pugnae_ is here, by a figure put for the _combatants_ themselves, who are represented as looking to the Caledonians, as a kind of corps de reserve, or last resource.

_Eo. For that reason_. The best things are always kept guarded and concealed in the _penetralia_. There may also be a reference to a _fact_ stated by Caesar (B.G. 5, 12), that the inhabitants of the interior were aborigines, while those on the coast were immigrants.

_Terrarum--extremos_. _The remotest of men and last of freemen_. --_Recessus--famae_. _Our very remoteness and obscurity_. This is the most common and perhaps the most simple translation, making _sinus famae_==seclusion in respect to fame. Perhaps, however, it accords as well with the usual signification of the words, and better with the connexion and spirit of the speech, to take _sinus famae_ in the sense, _retreat of glory_, or _glorious retreat_. So Wr. His interpretation of the passage and its connexion is as follows: _our very remoteness and our glorious retreat have guarded us till this day. But now the furthest extremity of Brit. is laid open_ (i.e. our retreat is no longer a safeguard); _and every thing unknown is esteemed great (i.e. this safeguard also is removed--the Romans in our midst no longer magnify our strength). Rit. encloses the clause in brackets, as a gloss. He renders _sinus famae, bosom of fame_, fame being personified as a goddess. R., Dr., Or. make _famae_ dative after _defendit_==has _kept back from fame_.

_Sed nulla jam_, etc. But now all the above grounds of confidence--our remoteness, our glory, our greatness magnified by the imagination of our enemies, from the very fact that we were unknown to them--all these are removed; we have none behind us to fall back upon, as our countrymen in former battles have leaned upon us--and we are reduced to the necessity of self-defence and self-reliance. The _sed_ seems to be antithetic to the whole as far back as _priores pugnae_; whereas _nunc_ is opposed only to the clause which immediately precedes it, and constitutes an antithesis within an antithesis.

_Infestiores_, sc. quam fluctus et saxa.

_Effugeris_. Cf. note G. 19: _non invenerit_; also _satiaverit_ just below.

_Et mare_. _Et==also_. Cf. note, G. 11.

_Opes atque inopiam_. Abs. for conc.==rich and poor nations.

_Falsis nominibus_ is by some connected with _rapere_. But better with _appellant_. _They call things by false names_, viz. _plunder, empire; and desolation, peace_.

XXXI. _Annos_==annonam, _yearly produce_, cf. G. 14: expectare annum. So often in the Poets.--_In frumentum. For supplies_. The reading of this clause is much disputed. The text follows that of W. and R. and is approved by Freund. For the meaning of _egerunt_, cf. _praedam egesserunt_, H. 3, 33.

_Silvis--emuniendis_==viis per silvas et paludes muniendis. E.

_Semel_. _Once for all_, G. 19.--_Emit_, sc. tributis pendendis; _pascit_, sc. frumento praebendo. E.

_Portus, quibus exercendis_. W. and Dr. explain this of collecting revenue at the ports (i.e. farming them), a thing unknown to the early Britons; Wr. of rowing, servile labor. Why not refer it to the _construction_ or _improvement_ of harbors? By rendering _exercendis, working, improving_, we make it applicable alike to harbors, mines and fields.--_Reservemur_. Subj. in a relative clause denoting a purpose. H. 500; Z. 567.

_Potuere_. Observe the ind., where we use the potential. It is especially frequent with _possum, debeo_, &c. Z. 518 and 519.

_Nonne_ implies an affirmative answer. Z. 352, and H. 346, II. 1. 2.

_In poenitentiam_, al. in praesentiam. The general idea is essentially the same with either reading. _Non in praesentiam==not to obtain our freedom, for the present merely. Non in poenitentiam==not about to obtain our freedom merely to regret it_, i.e. in such a manner as the Brigantes, who forthwith lost it by their _socordia_.

XXXII. _Nisi si_==nisi forte, cf. note, G. 2: nisi si patria.

_Pudet dictu_. The supine after _pudet_ is found only here. Quintilian however has _pudendum dictu_. Cf. Or. in loc.; and Z. 441. 443.

_Commendent_, etc. _Although they give up their blood to_ (i.e. _shed it in support of_) _a foreign tyrant_.--_Tamen_ is antithetic to _licet_: _although_ they give, _yet longer enemies, than slaves_ (of Rome).

_Metus--est_. _It is fear and terror_ (sc. that keep them in subjection), _weak bonds of affection_.

_Removeris--desierint_. Fut. perf. Cf. note, G. 23: _indulseris_.

_Nulla--aut alia_. Some of the Roman soldiers had lost all attachment to country and could not be said to have any country; others had one, but it was not Britain, it was far away.

_Ne terreat_. The third person of the imperative is for the most part avoided in ordinary language; and the pres. subj. is used in its stead. Z. 529, Note.

_Nostras manus_, i.e. those ready to join us and aid our arms, viz. (as he goes on to say), the Gauls and Germans, as well as the Britons now in the Roman ranks.--_Tamquam_==_just as_ (_tam-quam_). Död. renders, _just as certainly as_.

_Vacua.--Destitute of soldiers.--Senum_, sc. veterani et emeriti. Cf. note, 15. _Aegra==disaffected_. Cf. H. 2, 86.

_Hic dux_, etc. _Here a general, here an army_ (sc. the Roman, awaits you); _there tributes, mines_, &c. (and you must conquer the former or endure the latter--these are your only alternatives).

_In hoc campo est_. _Depends on this battle field_.--T. has laid out all his strength on this speech. It can hardly be matched for martial force and sententious brevity. It breathes, as it should in the mouth of a Briton, an indomitable spirit of liberty, and reminds us, in many features, of the concentrated and fiery eloquence, which has so often roused our American Indians to defend their altars and revenge their wrongs.

XXXIII. _Ut barbaris moris_. Al. et barbari moris. But compare 39: ut Domitiano moris erat; His. 1, 15: ut moris est. Supply _est_ here: _as is the custom of_ (lit. _to_) _barbarians_. Z. 448, & H. 402, I.

_Agmina_, sc. conspiciebantur.--_Procursu_ is the means by which the gleam of armor was brought into view.

_Acies_, sc. Britannorum. The _Roman_ army was still within the camp, cf. _munimentis coercitum_, below.

_Coercitum_==qui coerceri potest. The part, used in the sense of a verbal. So _monstratus_, G. 31, which, Freund says, is Tacitean. The perf. part. pass. with negative prefix _in_ often takes this sense. Z. 328. Cf. note, His. 5, 7: _inexhaustum_.

_Octavus annus_. This was Agricola's _seventh summer_ in Britain. See note 29: _initio aestatis_. But it being now later in the season, than when he entered Britain, he was now entering on his _eighth year_. Cf. Rit. in loc.

_Virtute--Romani_. _By the valor and favoring auspices of the Roman Empire_. War was formerly carried on auspiciis _Populi_ Rom. But after Augustus, auspiciis _Imperatoris_ or _Imperii_ Rom.

_Expeditionibus--proeliis_. These words denote the _time_ of _poenituit_ (_in_ or _during_ so many, etc.)--_Patientia_ and _labore_ are abl. after _opus_.

_Terminos_. Acc. after _egressi_ (H. 371, 4): _having transcended the limits_. Cf. Z. 387.

_Fama, rumore_. Synonyms. Also _castris, armis_. Cf. note, 30.

_Vota--aperto_. _Your vows and your valor now have free scope_ (are in the open field), cf. note 1: _in aperto_.

_In frontem_. Antith. to _fugientibus_. Hence==progredientibus.

_Hodie_. _To-day_, i.e. _in our present circumstances of prosperity_. Wr.

_Nec--fuerit_. _Nor will it have been inglorious_, sc. when the thing shall have been _done_ and men shall look _back_ upon our achievements. The fut. perf. is appropriate to such a conception.

_Naturae fine_. Cf. note, G. 45: _illuc usque natura_.

XXXIV. _Hortarer_. Literally, _I would be exhorting you_. The use of the imperf. subj. in hypothetical sentences, where we should use a plup. (I would have exhorted you), is frequent both in Greek and Latin, even when it denotes a _complete_ past action, cf. Z. 525. When the action is not complete, as here, the Latin form is at once more lively and more exact than the English.--_Proximo anno_. This same expression may signify either the next year, or the last year. Here of course: _the last year_, referring to the battle described in 26, cf. also note 29: _Initio aestatis_.

_Furto noctis_. Cf. Virg. Aen. 9, 397: fraude noctis.

_Contra ruere_. _Rush forth to meet, penetrantibus_, etc. R. and Wr. take _ruere_ for perf. 3d pl. instead of _ruerunt_, since T. uses the form in _ere_ much more than that in _erunt_. Rit. makes it inf. after _solet_ understood, or rather implied in _pelluntur_, which==_pelli solent_.

_Quos--quod_. _Whom, as to the fact that you have at length found (it is not because) they have taken a stand, but they have been overtaken_. Cf. Wr. and Or. in loc. On _deprehensi_, cf. note, 7. On _quod==as to this, that_, see examples in Freund, or in any Lexicon.

_Novissimae--vestigiis_. _The extremity of their circumstances, and their bodies_ (motionless) _with terror have brought them to a stand for battle on this spot_, etc. One MS. reads _novissime_ and omits _aciem_, which reading is followed in the common editions.