Tacitus gives us an interesting account of the new province.

"The red hair and the large limbs of the inhabitants of Caledonia [he says] pointed quite clearly to a German origin, while the dark complexions of the Silures, their usually curly hair, and the fact that Spain lies opposite to them are evidence that Iberians of a former date crossed over and occupied these parts. Those who are nearest to the Gauls are also like them, either from the permanent influence of original descent, or that climate had produced similar qualities.... The religious beliefs of Gaul may be traced in the strongly marked British superstition [Druidism]. The language differs but little. There is the same boldness in challenging danger, and when it is near the same timidity in shrinking from it. The Britons however exhibit more spirit, being a people whom a long peace has not yet enervated... Continual rain and cloud obscure their sky. Severity of cold is unknown. The days exceed in length those of our world; the nights are bright, and in the extreme north so short that between sunset and dawn there is but little distinction...With the exception of olive and vine, and plants which usually grow in warmer climates, the soil will yield all ordinary produce in plenty. It ripens slowly, but grows rapidly, the cause in each case being excessive moisture of soil and atmosphere."

In A.D. 78 Agricola*, a governor of talent and energy, was sent to Brittania. Instead of spending his first year of office in the customary tour of ceremony, he took field against anyone who still disputed the Roman authority. One large tribe who had massacred a squadron of auxiliary cavalry was exterminated.

The island of Mona (Anglesey) from which Suetonius had been recalled by the rising of Boadicea, was subjugated. With military ability Agricola united a statesmanlike humanity.

According to Tacitus, Who, incidentally, had married Agricola's daughter, he proclaimed that "little is gained by conquest if followed by oppression". He mitigated the severity of the corn tribute. He encouraged and aided the building of temples, courts of justice, and dwelling houses.

There is a pass in North Wales called Agricola Pass, upon a Roman road at Llanferres near the foothill of the Ancient Hillfort of MOEL FAMMAU (pronounced MOLE VAMMA). Several club outings have been made there but nothing of significance in the way of Roman artefacts or coins were found. It may have just been part of the road to Anglesey with no station.

Agricola provided liberal education for the son's of the chiefs, and showed, according to Tacitus "such a preference for the natural powers of the Britons over the more laboured style of the Gauls

" that the well-to-do classes were conciliated and become willing to adopt the toga and other Roman fashions. Step by step they were led to practices which disposed to vice -- the lounge, the bath, elegant banquet. All this in their ignorance they called civilisation, when it was but part of their sevitude".

Although the Senate and governing circles in Rome it was constantly explained that the Imperial policy adhered to the principle of the great Augustus, that the frontiers should be maintained but not extended, Agricola was permitted to conduct six campaigns of expansion in Britannia. In the third he reached the Tyne, the advances of his legion being supported at every stage by a fleet of sea-borne supplies.

 

In the fifth campaign he reached the line of the Forth and the Clyde, and here on this waspwaist of Britain he may well have dug himself in. But there was no safety or permanent peace for the British province unless he could subdue the powerful tribes and large bands of desperate warriors who had been driven northwards by his advance. Indeed, it is evident that he would never of his own will have stopped in any direction short of the ocean shore. Therefore, in his sixth campaign he marched northwards again with all his forces. The position had now become formidable. Past misfortunes had taught the Britons the penalties of disunion.

Agricola's son-in-law wrote:

"Our army, elated by the glory they had won, exclaimed that they must penetrate the recesses of Caledonia and at length in an unbroken succession of battles discover the farthest limits of Britain. But the Britons, thinking themselves baffled not so much by our valour as by our General's skilful use of an opportunity, abated nothing of their arrogance, arming their youth, removing their wives and children to a place of safety, and assembling together to ratify, with sacred rites, a confederacy of all their states".

We know that the decisive battle in A.D 83 was fought at Mons Graupius a place not yet identified; though it has been suggested that this was the Pass of Killiecrankie. It may be that some day a detectorist may recover something to identify with this area as that described, who knows.