History of paganism in Caledonia : with an examination into the influence of Asiatic philosophy, and the gradual development of Christianity in Pictavia. / By Thomas A. Wise.

  • Wise, T. (Thomas), 1801-1889.
Date:
1884
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: History of paganism in Caledonia : with an examination into the influence of Asiatic philosophy, and the gradual development of Christianity in Pictavia. / By Thomas A. Wise. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    inhabitants were of the same tribes as those on the neighbouring shores ; and from incidental notices, we may infer that their relations with their continental brethren were of a very close kind. Caesar(l) notices the resemblance that existed between the two countries in religion, manners and customs, and he also mentions that Divitiacus, one of the most powerful men in Gaul, had possessions in Britain, and that the younger Druids used to pass across to Gaul to perfect themselves in their studies. Tacitus concludes from their religion and from their appearance—large limbed and red haired—that the Caledonians were of German extraction.(2) The condition of Britain under the Romans is too well known to need more than passing notice. In the South the Roman power was, from the time of Agricola down to the date of the final withdrawal of the Legions, firmly established, but in the North the case was far otherwise, and the Northern Celts can still boast of having preserved their independence. Though Agricola pushed his victorious arms as far as the chain of forts extending between the Firths of Forth and Clyde, yet the hold of the country between this wall and the one extending from the Solway to the Tyne was precarious, and the rebellions of the tribes between the walls—the fierce and brave Meatae—and the incursions of the tribes to the north of the Valluj?i Antonini—known collectively as the Caledonii—were so numerous and destructive that the Roman general was induced to purchase peace with the former people. To their ignorant minds this was a mere proof of weakness, and afforded protection to the Romans only as long as their enemies found it convenient to respect the agreement. When a favourable opportunity occurred, they immediately re-commenced their predatory incursions with greater ferocity than before. An application was at last made to the Roman Emperor for assistance, and Severus, old, infirm, and labouring under a painful disease, hurried to Britain late in the year 208. In a short time he concentrated his forces and advanced against the enemy. The Caledonian chiefs sent envoys begging for peace, but Severus distrusting them, sent them back without giving any reply; and having established his headquarters at York (Eboracum), he began operations at the beginning of the year 209. He speedily crushed all resistance between the walls, but no sooner had he advanced beyond the wall of Antonius, between the Forth and the Clyde, than his army was harassed by bodies of the enemy, who were constantly cutting off stragglers and foraging parties. But though the aged Emperor, unchangeable in his determination, amid the attacks of the enemy, the severity of the climate, the density of the forests and the dangers of marshes, pushed steadily forward (carried most of the way in a litter), and after sacrificing some fifty thousand men, at last reached the Moray Firth, yet his labour was in vain, for the territory in the North, held by the Romans, was never more than the space actually covered by their army at any given moment, and the successor of Severus was glad even to withdraw within the wall of Hadrian. The Druids were the priest caste, and seem to have regulated social and legal matters, but unfortunately the remarks of the Roman authors regarding them, though sufficient to indicate their peculiar and dignified manners and great intellectual acquirements, are very scanty and inadequate as regards their doctrines. Indeed, the Roman estimate of them was harsh and unfair in consequence of the patriotism that induced these men to organize revolts and inculcate resistance (1) Caesar De Bello Gallico iv., 2; Tacitus agrees 811 (?); Gibbon's History, vol. viii. and vol. iv., p. 291. (2) Tac. Agr. chap. ii. See also Labueron Orig. Celt. Nouv. Diet.