XV.Interpretando. By putting their own, i.e.the worst construction upon them.
Ex facili==facile. A frequent form of expression in T., ad Graecorum consuetudinem. Dr. See R. Exc. 24.
Singulos—binos. Distributives==one for each tribe—two for each tribe.
Aeque—aeque. Like Greek correlatives; alike fatal to their subjects ineither case. So [Greek: homoios men] and [Greek: homoios de], Xen. Mem. 1, 6, 13; Plat. Symp. 181. C.
Alterius manus centuriones, alterius servos. This is the reading of the latest editions (Dr. Wr. Or. and R.), and the best MSS., though the MSS. differ somewhat:Centurions, the hands(instruments)of the one, and servants, the handsof the other, added insult to injury. For the use ofmanusin the above sense, reference is made to Cic. in Ver. 2, 10, 27: Comites illi tui delectimanuserant tuae. So thecenturionsof thelegateand theservantsof theprocuratorare said by our author to have robbed the Briton King Prasutagus of his kingdom and his palace, Ann. 14, 31, which is the best commentary on the passage before us.
Ab ignavis. Bythe feeble and cowardly. Antithetic tofortiorem. In battle, it is the braver that plunders us; but now(it is a special aggravation of our sufferings, that)by the feeble and cowardly, &c. So in contempt, they call the veterans, cf. 14:veteranorum colonia; 32:senum colonia.
Tantumlimitspro patria; as if it was for theircountryonly they knew not how to die.
Si sese, etc., i.e. incomparisonwith their own numbers.
Patriam—parentes, sc.causas belli esse.
Recessisset. Observe the subj. in the subordinate clauses of the oratio obliqua throughout this chapter. H. 531; Z. 603.
Neve—pavescerant. This verb would have been an imperative in the oratio recta, Z. 603, c.Neveis appropriate either to the imp. or the subj.
XVI.Instincti, i.e. furore quodam afflati. Dr. For a fuller account of this revolt, see Ann. 14, 31-38; Dio. 62, 1-13.
Boudicea. Wife of Prasutagus, king of the Iceni. When conquered, she ended her life by poison, Ann. 14, 37.
Expugnatis praesidiis. Having stormed the fortresses. The force ofexin this word is seen in that it denotes theactual carryingof a place by assault, whereasoppugnatusonly denotes the assault itself. So [Greek: ek-poliorkaetheis]==takenin a siege, [Greek: poliorkaetheis]==besieged.
Ipsam coloniam. Cf. note 14: veteranorum colonia.
In barbaris==qualis inter barbaros esse solet. R. Exc. 25.
Ira et victoria. Hendiadys. Render:Nor did they in the excitement of victory omit, etc. So Dr. R. and Wr.Iramay, however, refer to theirlong cherished resentment. Iracausam,victoriafacultatem explendae saevitiae denotat. Rit.—Quod nisi. And had not, etc. Cf. note, 12:quod si.
Patientiae. Most Latin authors would have said: ad patientiam. R.Patientiahere==submission.
Tenentibus—plerisque. Though many still retained, i.e. did not lay downtheir arms.
Propius. Al.proprius. But that is purely conjectural. Adv. for adj., cf. ultra, 8; longe, 6==propior, like thepropior curaof Ovid. Metamor. 13, 578. Render:a more urgent fear. Some would connectpropiuswithagitabatnotwithstanding its remote position.
Suae quoque.His own also, sc. as well as that of the Empire.
Durius, sc. aequo. H. 444, 1. cf. 4:acrius, note.
Delictis—novus.A stranger to their faults. Cf. Sil. Ital. 6, 254: novusque dolori. Wr. Cf. Böt. Lex. Tac.Dativus.
Poenitentiae mitior, i.e. mitior erga poenitentiam, or facilior erga poenitentes.Poenitentiaedat. of object.
Compositis prioribus.Having restored things to their former quiet state.
Nullis—experimentis.Undertaking no military expeditions. Or.—Castrorum. Cf. 5, note.
Comitate—tenuit. "Retained the province by a popular manner of administering the government." Ky.—Curandi. Note, H. 1, 52.
Ignoscere. Properlynot to notice, henceto view with indulgence, to indulge in.
Vitiis blandientibus. The reference is to theluxurious and vicious pleasuresof the Romans, which enervated the Britons, cf. 21, at close, where the idea is brought out more fully.
Cum—lasciviret.Cum==since. Hence the subj.
Precario. Cf. note, G. 44.—Mox, cf. note 4.
Velut pactiimplies atacitcompact. It was understood between them, that the army were to enjoy their liberty; the general, his life. Supplysuntwithpacti. Död. and Wr. supplyessent; but they readhaecforetbeforeseditiocontrary to the best MSS.
Et seditio.Et==and so. Al. haec seditio.
Stetit. Not stopped, but stood, as in our phrase: stood them in so much. So Ovid: Multosanguine—victoriastetit. And T. His. 3, 53: Majoredamno—veteres civium discordias reipublicaestetisse. Render:cost no blood. Dr.
Petulantia.Insubordination.—Nisi quod, but, cf. 6.
Bolanus. If the reader wishes to know more of the officers named in this chapter, for Turpilianus, see Ann. 14, 39. His. 1, 6; Trebellius, His. 1, 60; Bolanus, Ann. 15, 3. His. 2, 65. 79.
Caritatem—auctoritatis. "Had conciliated affection as a substitute for authority." Ky.
XVII.Recuperavit. Al.reciperavit. The two forms are written indiscriminately in the MSS. The word may express either the recovery of what was lost, or the restoration to health of what was diseased. Either would make a good sense here. Cf. chap. 5; also Cic. Phil. 14, 13:republica recuperata. Or. rendersacquired again, sc. what had previously belonged, as it were, to him, rather than to the bad emperors who had preceded him.
Petilius Cerialis. Cf. note, 8.—Brigantum. Cf. H. 3, 45; Ann. 12, 32. Their territory embraced Cumberland, Westmoreland, Lancashire, Durham and Yorkshire.
Aut victoria aut bello, i.e.either received their submission after the victory, or involved them in the calamities of war.Aut—autgenerally adversative==either—or on the contrary.Vel—velonly disjunctive==whether—or. Cf. note on vel—vel, G. 15.
Alterius. Another, than Julius Frontinus, i.e. by implication, onedifferentfrom him,less brave and great. Cf. His. 2, 90: tanquam apud alterius civitatis senatum; 3, 13, note.Aliusis the word usually appropriated to express this idea.Altergenerally implies aresemblancebetween contrasted objects. See Freund, ad v.
Obruisset—sustinuit. These words primarily refer to physical energies, and are exactly counterpart==crushed—sustained.
Quantum licebatlimitsvir magnus: as great a man, as it was permittedhim to be, restricted as he was in his resources, perhaps by the parsimony of the Emperor. On Julius Frontinus, cf. H. 4, 39. He was the friend of Pliny the Younger (Plin. Ep. 9, 19) and therefore probably of Tacitus. His books on Stratagems, and on the Aqueducts of Rome are still extant.—Super, over and above, i.e.besides.
XVIII.Agentem, sc. excubias or stationem==stationed in, cf. His. 1, 47: copias, quae Lugduni agebant.Ala. Cf. note, H. 1, 54.
Ordovicum civitas. Situated over against the Island Mona, north of the Silures, i.e. in the northern part of what is now Wales.
Ad—verterentur.Were turning themselves(middle sense)towards, i.e.looking to or for. Occasionem. An opportunity, sc. to attack the Romans in their security. Al.uterentur.
Quibus—erat. They who wished for war. Greek idiom for qui bellum volebant. See Kühner's Greek Gram. 284, 10, c., cf. His. 3, 43: volentibus fuit, etc., and note, ibid. In Latin, the idiom occurs chiefly in Sallust and T. See Z. 420, and H. 387, 3.
Ac—opperiri. Al.autby conjecture. Butac==ac tamen, and yet. Cf. Ann. 1, 36:exauctorari—ac retineri sub vexillo.
Transvecta. Al. transacta. Cf. His. 2, 76: abiit ettransvectum est tempus. Only T. uses the word in reference to time.
Numeri==cohortes or manipuli, cf. His. 1, 6: multi numeri. This use of the word is post-Augustan. Cf. note, His. 1, 6.
Tarda et contraria. In appos. with the foregoing clauses==circumstances calculated to retard and oppose him in commencing war.
Plerisque, sc. of the inferior officers. They thought it best that those parts of the country, whose fidelity was questionable (suspecta) should be secured by garrisons (custodiri).Potiusis an adj. and goes withvidebatur==it seemed preferable.
Legionum vexillis. Some understand this of veteran soldiers who had served out their time (twenty years), but were stillsub vexillis(not dismissed). So R. and W. Others of parts of the legions detached for a season sub vexillis (under separate standards). So Gronovius. The word seems to be used in both senses. See note, H. 1, 31.
In aequum. Into the plain. Aequus, prim. level, hence aequor, sea.
Erexit aciem. Led his troops up the steep. So His. 3, 71: erigunt aciem per adversum collem.
Ac—ceteris. And that according as the firstenterpriseswent(cf. note, 5:cessit), would be the terror in the rest_ of his engagements. Cf. H. 2, 20:gnarus, ut initia belli provenissent, famam in cetera fore. Al.fore universa.
Possessione. Takingpossession, cf. 14. Apossidere, i.e. occupare, non apossidere, quod est occupatum tenere. Rit. For the abl. withouta, cf. H. 2, 79:Syria remeans.
Ut in dubiis consiliis, sc. fieri solet. Generals are not apt to be prepared beforehand for enterprises, not contemplated at all in their original plans.
Qui—expectabant. Who were looking out for (exandspecto) a fleet, for ships, in a wordfor the sea, i.e. naval preparations in general, instead of an attack by land. The language is highly rhetorical.—Crediderint. Livy, Nepos and Tacitus use theperf. subj. afterut, denoting a consequence, when a single, specific past act is expressed; when a repeated or continued action, theimp. subj. Most writers use the imp. in both cases. See H. 482, 2, and 480; Z. 516; also Z. 504, Note, and note H. 1, 24:dederit.
Officiorum ambitum. "Compliments of office."Ky.
Placuisset. Subj. cf. note, 11:ut quos.
Expeditionem—continuisse. He did not call it a campaign or a victory to have kept the conquered in subjection.
Laureatissc. litteris. It was customary to communicate the news of victory to the Emperor and Senate, by letters bound with bay leaves, cf. Liv. 5, 28:litteraea Postumiolaureataesequuntur. Withoutlitterae, it occurs only here. Or. So in H. 3, 77. T. avoids the technical expression and employs the wordlaurea, seldom used in this sense.
Dissimulatione. Cf. note, 6.—Aestimantibus, cf. aestimanti, 11. The aspiring, and especially the vain, may learn from this passage a lesson of great practical value. Compare also § 8, at the close.
XIX.Aliena experimenta. The experience of others.
Nihil. Ellipsis ofagere(which is inserted without MS. authority in the common editions). So Cic. Phil. 1, 2: Nihil per senatum, etc. Cf. G. 19:adhuc, note.
Ascire, al. accire.To receive into regular service. The reference is to the transfer of soldiers from the raw recruits to the legions. So W. followed by Dr. R. and W. The next clause implies, that he took care to receive into the service none but the best men (optimum quemque), whom he deemedtrustworthy(fidissimum) just inproportionas they weregood. This use of two superlatives mutually related to each other, the former withquisque, is frequent in Latin and resembles the English use of two comparatives: the better, the more trustworthy. Cf. Z. 710, b.; also note, 3:promptissmus quisque.
Exsequi==punire. A sense peculiar to the later Latin. Cic. and Caes. usepersequi. For a similar use of the word in the expression of a similar sentiment, see Suet. Jul. 67: Delicta neque observabat omnia neque pro modo exsequebatur. Compare our wordexecute. And mark the sentiment, as a maxim in the science of government.
Severitatem commodare. W. with Dr. and R. make this an example of zeugma. And in its ordinary acceptation (i.e. in the senseto give) the wordcommodarecertainly applies only toveniam, and not toseveritatem. Butcommodarein its primary signification means toadapt; and in this sense, it suits both of its adjuncts:He adapted(awarded)pardon to small offences, severe punishment to great ones. So Wr. For the series of infinitives, cf. notes, 5:nosci, etc.; G. 30:praeponere, etc.
Nec poena—contentus esse. Nor was he always content with punishment, but oftener with repentance. Mere punishment without reformation did not satisfy him; reformation without punishment satisfied him better. See Död. in loc. Here too some have called in the aid of zeugma.
Auctionem. Al. exactionem. The former is the reading of the greater part of the MSS. and the later German editions.Auctionem tributorumrefers to the increased tribute exacted by Vesp. cf. Sueton. Vesp. 16:auxissetributa provinciis, nonnullis etduplicasse.
Munerum.Duties, burdens.—Circumcisis. Cf. note, 2: expulsis. etc., and 11: amissa virtute.
Namque—cogebantur. The best version we can give of this obscure passage is as follows:For they were compelled in mockery to sit by the closed granaries and to buy corn needlessly(beyond what was necessary, cf. note onultro, G. 28, when they had enough of their own)and to sell it at a fixed price(prescribed by the purchasers). It has been made a question, whether the granaries of the Britons, or those of the Romans are here meant. Död., Dr. and R. advocate the former opinion; Walch, Wr., Or., and Rit. the latter. According to the former view, the Britons were often obliged to buy corn of the Romans, because they were forbidden to use their own, to supply themselves and their families; according to the latter, because they were required (as explained below) to carry their contributions to a quarter so distant from their own granaries, that they were fain to buy the corn rather at some nearer warehouse of the Romans. The selling at a fixed price is equally intelligible on either supposition. Or. following the best MSS. readsludere pretio, which Rit. has amended intocolludere pretio.Ultromay well enough be renderedmoreoveroreven, thus giving emphasis toemere.
Devortia itinerum.Bye roads, explained byavia, aslonginquitasis byremota. The object of requiring the people to convey their contributions to such distant and inconvenient points, was to compel them to buy of the Romans, or to pay almost any sum of money to avoid compliance. The reader of Cic. will remember in illustration of this whole passage, the various arts to which Verres is said to have had recourse to enrich himself, at the expense of the people of his province (Cic. in Ver. 3, 72, and 82), such as refusing to accept the contributions they brought, obliging them to buy of him at his own price, requiring them to carry supplies to points most distant and difficult of access,ut vecturae difficultate ad quam vellent aestimationem pervenirent.
Omnibus, sc. et incolis et militibus;paucis, sc. praefectis aut publicanis. Dr.
Donec—fieret. The subj. here denotes a purpose or object in view, and theretore followsdonecaccording to the rule. H. 522, II.; Z. 575. Tacitus however always expresses a repeated past action afterdonecby the imp. subj. Cf. note, 37: affectavere; H. 1, 13. 35.
XX.Statim. Emphatic, like [Greek: euthus]. Cf. Thucyd. 2, 47: [Greek: tou therous euthus archomenou]: at theverybeginning of summer. So in § 3.
Intolerantia, al. tolerantia, but without MS. authority.Incuriaisnegligence. Intolerantia_ isinsufferable arrogance, severity, in a wordintolerance. So Cic.: superbia atque intolerantia.
Quae—timebatur. And no wonder, sinceubi solitudinemfaciunt,pacemappellant, 30.
Multus, al. militum.Multusin the recent editions.Multus==frequens, cf. Sal. Jug. 84: multus ac ferox instare.—Modestiam—disiectos. These words are antithetic, though one is abstract and the other concrete. The whole clause may be literally rendered thus:ever present in the line of march, he commended good order (discipline), the disorderly he restrained.
Popularetur, sc. A.Quominus, that not==but: but he ravaged their country by unexpected invasions.
Irritamenta.Inducements.—Pacis. Ang.toorfor peace.
Ex aequo egerant, lit. had acted (lived) on an equality, i.e.had maintained their independence, cf. His. 4, 64: aut ex aequo agetis aut aliis imperitabitis.
Iram posuere. Cf. Hor. Ars Poet.: etiramcolligit acponittemere. See also G. 27: ponunt dolorem, etc.
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 ofnova, cf. 22. Fortransierit, 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 asic,itaortamto be understood withillacessita, 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 totransierit(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. placingIllacessita transiitat the beginning of the next chapter. But this does violence not only to MS. authority, but to Latin usage in making the adverbut, so as, as, followtanta. In such a connection,utmust be a conjunction==so that, that. See Freund sub v. For theperf. 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, andin 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 thepreferencewhich A. expressed for the genius of the Britons over the learning of the Gauls,stimulatedthem 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 ontogatos, 9.
Ut—concupiscerent.Ut==so that, denoting a consequence. The verb here denotes a continued or habitual state of mind. Hence theimp. subj. Cf. note, 18:crediderit.
Discessum, sc. a patrum moribus ad vitia varia. Dr.
Delenimenta==illa, quibus animileniuntur. Dr.Charms, blandishments. Cf. H. 1, 77. The word is not found in Cic. or Caes.
Humanitas. Civilisation, refinement. Compare the professorships ofhumanityin 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 withgentes; sometimes less comprehensive, cf. note, G. 2.
Pactione ac fuga. Al.autfuga, but without authority. There are but two distinct clauses marked byaut—aut: either taken by assault or abandoned by capitulation and flight.
Nam—firmabantur. This clause assigns a reason, why the Romans wereableto make frequent sorties (crebrae eruptiones), viz. supplies of provision so abundant, as to be proof against blockade.
Moras obsidionis. A protracted siege, orblockade.
Annuis copiis. Supplies for a year. This is theprimarysignification ofannuus; that of our wordannualissecondary.
Intrepida—praesidio==hiberna quieta ac tuta ab hostibus. Fac. and For. —Irritis, baffled. Seldom applied topersonsby 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 herepensare==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 ondurius, 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 tosecretum, cf. 39; Ann. 3, 8, wheresecretois opposed topalam; and His. 4, 49: incertum, quoniamsecreto eorumnemoadfuit.
XXIII.Obtirendis. Securing possession of.—Pateretur, sc. terminum inveniri.—In ipsa Brit. In the verynatureor 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 thecurved borderonthis sidethe 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 fromRome, where they suppose him to have passed the winter, and whence he crossed over to Britain by theearliestvessel in the spring. W. and R. makeprimaequivalent to an adv. and render: crossing overfor the first timeby ship. Or. also makesprima==tum primum.
Copiis. Here troops with their equipments==forces, cf. 8: majoribus copiis.—Medio sitalying 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 soin 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 omitin. Others insertnecbefore it. Some place the pause beforein melius, others after. Some readdiffert, othersdifferunt. Nec in meliuswould 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 Romanarmy). So Wr. and Död. Onin 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 ofmelius; 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 supplybello, as in 17: bello amplexus. But better: embracingin his plan of operations, i.e.extending his operations to those tribes.
Hostilis exercitus. Al. hostili exercitu. Buthostilis exercitusin the MSS. and earliest editions.—Infestais 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. Formixti, cf. 4: locum—mixtum. Forcopiisin 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.
Oppugnassedepends onfama. Their preparations were great. Rumor as usual (uti mos, etc.) represented them still greater; for the rumor went abroad, that the Caledonians hadcommenced offensive operations (oppugnasse ultra).—Castella adortiis the means by which theymetum 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. oftime, as in 20, 38, et passim.
Certabant. Notfoughtwith the enemy, butviedwith each other. So below: utroque—certante. Hence followed bydegloria, notprogloria, which some would substitute for it;secure for(in regard to)safety, they vied with each other in respect to(orin)glory. Withpro salute, cf. His. 4, 58: pro me securior.
Erupere. Sallied forth, sc. from the camp.
Utroque exercitu. Each of the twoRomanarmies.
Quod. Cf. 12, note.—Debellatum, lit. the war would have been foughtout, i.e.ended.
XXVII.Cujusrefers tovictoriain the previous section (cf.quod26, note):inspirited by the consciousness and the glory of this victory.
Modo cauti. Compare the sentiment with 25: specie prudentium, etc.
Arte—rati, al. arteusosrati 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. readssuperati.
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, withgubernatoribus, Br. R. supposes that having but one pilot left, only the vessel on which he sailed wasrowed, while the others were towed by it; and this rowingunder his directionis ascribed tohim. Some MSS. and many editions readremigrante, which some translate:making his escape, and others connect withinterfectis, and suppose that he also was slain in trying tobring backhis boat to shore. Whether we readremiganteorremigrante, the signification of either is unusual.
Praevehebantur. Sailed along the coast (in sight of land).
Inopiaeis governed byeo, which is the old dat.==to such a degree. —Ad extremum==at last.
Vescerenturfollowed 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 thatallthe steersmen were slain or escaped. Dr. answers, that it may refer only to thetwoships 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 thenextsummer (the 7th campaign, cf. 25:aestate, qua sextum, etc.), as the whole history shows. See especiallyproximo 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. betweenambitioseandper lamenta. —Per lamenta, cf. 6: per caritatem.—Igitur, cf. 13, note.
Quae—faceret==ut ea faceret. H. 500; Z. 567.Incertumis explained bypluribus locis. Render:general alarm.—Expedito==sine impedimentis, armis solis instructo. Fac. and For.—Montem Grampium. NowGrampian hills.
Cruda—senectus. Cf. Virg. Aen. 6, 304: sed cruda deo viridisque senectus.Crudusis rarely found in this sense except in the poets.Crudusproperly==bloody (cruor, cruidus); hence the successive significations, raw, unripe, fresh, vigorous.—Sua decora==praemia ob virtutem bellicam accepta. E. Any and allbadges of distinction, especially inarms. Wr., Or. and Dõd.
XXX.Causas belli. Explained byuniversi servitutis expertesbelow, to be the defence of their liberties. In like manner,nostram necessitatemis explained bynullae ultra terrae: there is no retreat for us, etc.—Animus, Confidence.
Proelium—arma. T. has a passion forpairsof words, especially nouns, ofkindred 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.—Pugnaeis here, by a figure put for thecombatantsthemselves, 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 thepenetralia. There may also be a reference to afactstated 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, makingsinus 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 takesinus famaein the sense,retreat of glory, orglorious 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 renderssinus famae, bosom of fame, fame being personified as a goddess. R., Dr., Or. makefamaedative afterdefendit==haskept 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. Thesedseems to be antithetic to the whole as far back aspriores pugnae; whereasnuncis 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; alsosatiaveritjust below.
Et mare.Et==also. Cf. note, G. 11.
Opes atque inopiam. Abs. for conc.==rich and poor nations.
Falsis nominibusis by some connected withrapere. But better withappellant.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 ofegerunt, 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 theconstructionorimprovementof harbors? By renderingexercendis, 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 withpossum, debeo, &c. Z. 518 and 519.
Nonneimplies 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 theirsocordia.
XXXII.Nisi si==nisi forte, cf. note, G. 2: nisi si patria.
Pudet dictu. The supine afterpudetis found only here. Quintilian however haspudendum 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.—Tamenis antithetic tolicet:althoughthey 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. Supplyesthere:as is the custom of(lit.to)barbarians. Z. 448, & H. 402, I.
Agmina, sc. conspiciebantur.—Procursuis the means by which the gleam of armor was brought into view.
Acies, sc. Britannorum. TheRomanarmy was still within the camp, cf.munimentis coercitum, below.
Coercitum==qui coerceri potest. The part, used in the sense of a verbal. Somonstratus, G. 31, which, Freund says, is Tacitean. The perf. part. pass. with negative prefixinoften takes this sense. Z. 328. Cf. note, His. 5, 7:inexhaustum.
Octavus annus. This was Agricola'sseventh summerin Britain. See note 29:initio aestatis. But it being now later in the season, than when he entered Britain, he was now entering on hiseighth year. Cf. Rit. in loc.
Virtute—Romani.By the valor and favoring auspices of the Roman Empire. War was formerly carried on auspiciisPopuliRom. But after Augustus, auspiciisImperatorisorImperiiRom.
Expeditionibus—proeliis. These words denote thetimeofpoenituit(inorduringso many, etc.)—Patientiaandlaboreare abl. afteropus.
Terminos. Acc. afteregressi(H. 371, 4):having transcended the limits. Cf. Z. 387.
Fama, rumore. Synonyms. Alsocastris, 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. tofugientibus. 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 beendoneand men shall lookbackupon 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 acompletepast 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. takeruerefor perf. 3d pl. instead ofruerunt, since T. uses the form ineremuch more than that inerunt. Rit. makes it inf. aftersoletunderstood, or rather implied inpelluntur, 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. Ondeprehensi, cf. note, 7. Onquod==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. readsnovissimeand omitsaciem, which reading is followed in the common editions.
Extremo metuis to be closely connected withcorpora. For the sense ofdefixere, cf. Ann. 13, 5: pavore defixis.
Ederetis. Subj. cf. H. 500, 2; Z. 556, a.
Transigite cum expeditionibus==finite expeditiones. Dr. Cf. G. 19: cum spe—transigitur, note.
Quinquaginta annis. So many years, it might be said to be in round numbers, though actually somewhatlessthan fifty years, since the dominion of Rome was first established in Britain under the Emperor Claudius. Cf. 13, supra.—The speech of A. is not equal to that of Galgacus. He had not so good a cause. He could not appeal to the sacred principles of justice and liberty, to the love of home and household gods. But he makes the best of a bad cause. The speech is worthy of a Roman commander, and touches with masterly skill all those chords in a Roman soldier's breast, that were never touched in vain.
XXXV.Et==both. Both while he was speaking and after he had ceased, the soldiers manifested their ardor, etc.
Instinctos. Cf. note 16: instincti.
Aciem firmarent==aciem firmam facerent, of which use there are examples not only in T., but in Liv. Dr. The auxiliary footformeaormade up(not merely strengthened)the centre.—Affunderentur. Were attached to.—Pro vallo. On the rampart; properly on the fore part of it. Cf. note, H. 1, 29.
Ingens—decus. In app. withlegiones—stetere.
Bellanti, sc. Agricolae. Al. bellandi.
In speciem. Cf. in suam famam, 8, and in jactationem, 5.
Aequo. Supply consisteret to correspond withinsurgeret. Zeugma. Cf. note, 18: in aequum.
Media campi.The intervening parts of the plain, sc. between the two armies.—Covinariusis found only in T.Covinarii==the essedarii of Caesar. Covinus erat currus Belgarum, a quibus cum Britanni acceperant. Dr.
Pedes. Nom. sing, in app. with subject ofconstitit.
XXXVI.Indentibus gladiis, etc. So below:parva scuta, etc. The small shield and broad sword of the Highlanders.
Donec—cohortatus est. Cf. note, G. 37:affectavere.—Batavorum cohortes. Al.tres—cohortes. But the number is not specified in the best MSS. In the Histories, eight cohorts of Batavians are often mentioned as constituting the auxiliaries of the 14th legion, which was now in Britain. See Rit. in loc.
Ad mucrones. The Britons were accustomed to fight with the edge of the sword, and cut and hew the enemy. The Romans, on the contrary, made use of thepoint. Of course in a close engagement, they would have greatly the advantage. Br.—Ad manus. The opposite ofeminus, i.e.a close engagement. The same thing is expressed below bycomplexum armorum.
In aperto pugnam. Literally a fight in the open field, i.e. aregularpitchedbattle, which with its compact masses would be less favorable to the large swords of the Britons, than a battle on ground uncleared of thickets and forests. Al.in arto.
Miscere, ferire, etc. A series of inf. denoting a rapid succession of events, cf. note, 5: noscere—nosci; G. 30: praeponere.
Equitum turmae, sc. Britannorum. The wordturmaeis applicable to such a cavalry as theirs, cf. Ann. 14, 34:Britannorumcopiae passim per catervas etturmasexsultabant. Br. Ky. and others here understand it of the Roman cavalry. But R. Dr. and Wr. apply it to the Britons, and with reason, as we shall see below, and as we might infer indeed from its close connexion withcovinarii, for thecovinariiwere certainly Britons.
Peditum proelio, hostium agminibus. These also both refer to theBritons. The covinarii were interspersed among their own infantry, and, as the Romans advanced, became entangled with them. This is disputed. But the small number of Romans slain in the whole battle is alone enough to show, thattheircavalry was not routed, northeirinfantry broken in upon by the chariots of the enemy. Moreover, how could T. properly use the wordhostiumof his own countrymen?
Minimeque, etc. This is one passage, among a few in T., which is so manifestly corrupt that no sense can be made of it, as it stands in the MSS. The reading given in the text is the simplest of all the conjectural readings that have been proposed. It is that of Br. and E., and is followed by the common editions. Cavalry took a large part in the battle. But the battle wore little the aspect of an equestrian fight; for the Britons, after maintaining their position with difficulty for some time, were at length swept away by the bodies (themere uncontrolled bodies) of the horses—in short, the riders had no control over horses or chariots, which rushed on without drivers obliquely athwart, or directly through the lines, as their fears severally impelled them; all which was in marked contrast to a Roman's idea of a regular battle of cavalry.
XXXVII.Vacui. Free from apprehension.
Ni. Cf. note 4: ni.—Subita belli. Unexpected emergenciesarising in the course of the battle. Cf. 6:inania honoris.
Grande et atrox spectaculum, etc. See a similar description in Sal. Jug. 101. The series of infinitives and the omission of the connectives (asyndeton) make the succession of events very rapid and animated. Compare the famousveni, vidi, vici, of Caesar.
Prout—erat. According to their different natural disposition, i.e.the timid, though armed, turned their backs before inferior numbers; while the brave, though unarmed, met death in the face.
Praestare tergais an expression found only in T.
Et aliquando, etc.Et==ac tamen. Andyet (notwithstanding the flight of crowds and the passive death of some as above)sometimes to the conquered alsothere wasanger and bravery. The language is Virgilian, cf. Aen. 2, 367.
Quod. Cf. note 12.—Ni frequens—fiduciam foret. "Had not A., who was everywhere present, caused some strong and lightly equipped cohorts to encompass the ground, while part of the cavalry having dismounted, made their way through the thickets, and part on horseback scoured the open woods, some disaster would have prcoeeded from this excess of confidence." Ky.
XXXVIII.Gaudio praedaque laeta. Cf. note, G. 7:cibos et hortamina. Observe also the juxtaposition oftempestateandfamain this same chapter.
Separare, sc. consilia, i.e.they sometimes act in concert, sometimes provide only for their individual safety.
Pignorum. Cf. note G. 7: pignora—Saevisse. Laid violent hands. "This picture of rage and despair, of tenderness, fury, and the tumult of contending passions, has all the fine touches of a master who has studied human nature." Mur.—Secreti==deserti.
Ubi. When, cf. 26. Its direct influence extends tonequibat, and with its clause, it expresses thereasonwhy A. drew off his forces into the country of the Horesti.—Spargi bellum==diversis locis, vel diviso exercitu, vel vagando bellum geri. E.
Secunda—fama. Favored by the weather and the glory of their past achievements(lit. the weather and famefollowingthem,secunda ==sequunda.)
Trutulensem portum. Some port, now unknown, probably near the mouth of the Tay or the Forth.Undequalifieslecto. E. Withredierata corresponding adv. denotingwhither, is to be supplied: whence it had set sail, and whither, after having surveyed all the nearest coast of Britain, it had now returned.Hadreturned, i.e. prior toenteringthe port; the action ofredierat, was prior to that oftenuit. Hence plup.Proximo, nearest, sc. to the scene of Agricola's operations, i.e. the whole northern coast from the Forth to the Clyde and back again. This was all that was necessary to prove Britain to be an island (cf. chap. 10), the southern coast having been previously explored.
XXXIX.Actum. Al. auctum, a conjecture of Lipsius.Actum==treated of, reported.—Moris erat. H. 402, I.; Z. 448, N. 1. N. 1.
Falsum—triumphum. He had returned without so much as seeing the enemy (Dio Cass. 67, 4); and yet he bought slaves, dressed them in German style, had their hair stained red (G. 4:rutilae comae) and left long, so as to resemble Germans, and then marched in triumph into Rome with his train of pretended captives! Caligula had done the same before him. Suet. Calig. 47.
Formarentur. Subj. in a relative clause denoting a purpose (quorum==ut eorum). H. 500; Z. 567.
Studia—acta. Lawyers and politicians, all public men, had been gagged and silenced by Domitian.
Alius. Another than the Emperor.—Occuparet==pre-occupy, so as to rob him of it.
Utcumque. Somehow, possibly, perhaps.Other things perhaps were more easily concealed; but the merit of a good commander was an imperial prerogative.
Quodque—satiatus.And what was a proof of some cruel purpose, wholly absorbed in his retirement(where he never plotted any thing but mischief, and where in early life he is said to have amused himself with killing flies, Suet. Dom. 3). Cf. Plin. Panegyr. 48: nec unquam ex solitudine sua prodeuntem, nisi ut solitudinem faceret. The whole passage in Pliny is a graphic picture of the same tyrant, the workings of whose heart are here so laid bare by the pen of Pliny's friend Tacitus.Secreto—satiatusmay also be translated:satisfied with his own secret, i.e. keeping to himself his cherished hatred and jealousy.—Languesceret. Subj. afterdonec. Cf. note, G. 37:affectavere.
Reponere odium. See lexicon underreponofor this phrase.
Impetus—exercitus.Until the freshness of his glory, and his popularity with the army should gradually decline.
Etiam tum obtinebat, i.e. he was still inpossession of the government, and of course in command of the army, in Britain.
XL.Triumphalia ornamenta. Not a real triumph, which from the reign ofAugustus was conceded only to the Emperor or the princes of the ImperialFamily; but triumphal insignia, such as thecorona, laurea, togapraetexta, tunica palmata, sella curulis, &c. Dr.
Illustris statuae. Calledlaureata, Ann. 4, 23;triumphalis, His. 1, 79.
Quidquid datur. Besides theornamentaabove mentioned, sacrifices and thanksgivings were offered in the name of the victorious commander. Dr.
Addique. Al. additque.Addiqueis the reading of the MSS. and old editions. And it suits better the genius of Dom.; he did not express theopinionemhimself, for it was not his real intention, but heorderedsome one to put it in circulation as if from him, that he might have the credit of it and yet not be bound by it.—Destinari, sc. by Domitian.
Majoribus reservatam.Majoribus==illustrioribus. Syria was the richest province in the Empire, and the praefectship of it the most honorable office.
Ex secretioribus ministeriis.One of his private secretaries, or confidential agents.
Codicillos. Under the Emperors this word is used to denote an imperial letter or diploma. Properly a billet, diminutive ofcodex, tablet (==caudex, trunk of a tree).
Syria dabatur. Syria was one of the Provinces, that were at the disposal of the Emperor.
Ex ingenio principis.In accordance with(cf.ex, G. 7)the(dissimulating)genius or policy of Domitian. The design, if not real, at least imputed to him, was to withdraw Agricola from his province and his troops at all events, by the offer of the best province in the Empire if need be; but that object having been secured by Agricola's voluntary retirement, the offer, and even the ordinary civilities of life, especially official life, were deemed unnecessary. Compare this with the concluding sentence of the preceding chapter.
Celebritate et frequentia. Hendiadys:By the number of distinguished men who might go out to meet him(and escort him into the city).
0fficio==salutatione. Dr.—Brevi osculo, lit. ahasty kiss==cold and formal salutation. The kiss was a common mode of salutation among the Romans, in the age of the Emperors. See Becker's Gallus, p. 54.
Turbae servientium. The usual and characteristic associates, as well as attendants of Domitian. A severe cut, though quite incidental and very concise.
Otiosos. Antith. tomilitare.Men in civil life, cf. note onotio, II.
Otium auxit. Augere otium==sequi altissimum otium. Dr.
Penitus==inwardly, i.e. sincerely,zealously. So R. But Dr.== prorsus, omnino, valde.—Cultu modicus. Simple in dress, cf. note oncultus, G. 6.—Comitatus, passive, so used by Cic. also.—Uno aut altero. One or two.
Per ambitionem==ex vitae splendore et numeroso comitatu. Br. cf. note onambitio, G. 27.
Quaererent—interpretarentur.Many inquired(with wonder)into the reputation(of a man so unassuming),and few explainedorunderstood(the true reason of his humble manner of life).Interpretarentur, notfamambut the facts above mentioned, and the necessity A. was under of living as he did.—Viso aspectoque. On seeing him and directing their attention particularly to him.
XLI.Crimen==public accusation.—Querela==private complaint.—Princeps, gloria, genus. Supply, as a predicate,causa periculi; these were the causes that put A's life in jeopardy.
Militares viri==duces. So Corbulo is called, Ann. 15, 26.
Expugnati et capti.Defeated and taken captive, For. and Fac. Properlyexpugnareis said of a fortress or city. Butektoliorkeinin Greek is used in the same way, of persons. Compareexpugnatis praesidiis, 16, note. The wars particularly referred to are those against Decebalus, leader of the Dacians, which lasted four years and in which Moesia also was invaded by the Dacians, and several Roman armies with their commanders were lost (Suet. Dom. 6.); and that of the Pannonian legions against the German tribes of the Marcomanni and the Quadi (Dion, 67, 7).
Hibernis—dubitatum, i.e. the enemy not only met them on the river banks, which formed the borders of the empire, but attacked the winter quarters of their troops, and threatened to take away the territory they had already acquired.
Funeribus, sc. militarium virorum.—Cladibus, sc. cohortium. Dr.
Amore et fide.Out of affection and fidelity(sc. to their imperial master).—Malignitate et livore.Out of envy and hatred(sc. towards A.).
Pronum deterioribus.Inclined to the worse measures, or it may be, to theworse advisers.
In ipsam—agebatur==invito gloria aucta, simulque pernicies accelerata. W.
XLII.Asiae et Africae. He drew lots,whichhe should have,bothbeing put into the lot.—Proconsulatum. See H. 1, 49. note, on proconsul. A. had already been consul, 9.
Sortiretur.In which he would, or such that he must, obtain by lot, etc. Cf. H. 501, I.; Z. 558.
Occiso Civica. Cf. Suet. Dom. 10: complures senatores, et in his aliquot consulares, interemit, ex quibusCivicam Cerealem in ipso Asiae proconsulate.
Nec Agricolae—exemplum.A warning was not wanting to A. (to avoid the dangerous post);nor a precedent to Dom. (for disposing of A. in the same way if he accepted the office).
Iturusne esset. Subj. cf. H. 525; Z. 552.—Interrogarent. H. 500; Z. 567.
In—excusatione.In urging his request(before Dom.)to be excused.
Paratus simulatione. Al. simulationi.Furnished with deceit, armed, as it were,with hypocrisy.
In arrogantiam compositus.Assuming a proud demeanor.
Beneficii invidia, lit.the odium of such a kindness==so odious a favor. The idea is, he did not blush to let A. return thanks for a signal injury, as if it were a real kindness. "A refinement of cruelty not unfrequently practised by the worst Roman Emperors." Ky. The only peculiarity in the case of Dom. was, the unblushing impudence with which he perpetrated the wrong, cf. 45. See a fine commentary on this passage in Sen. de Benef. 4, 17: Quis est, qui non beneficusviderivelit? qui non inter scelera et injurias opinionem bonitatis affectet? velit quoqueiis videri beneficium dedisse, quos laesit? gratias itaque agi sibi ab his, quos afflixere, patiuntur.
Salarium. Properly salt-money, i.e. a small allowance to the soldiers for the purchase of salt. Cf.clavarium, H. 3, 50, note. But after Augustus, official pay,salary.
Ne—emisse.That he might not appear to have purchased a compliance with his virtual prohibition(viz. of A.'s accepting the proconsulship).
Proprium humani, etc. Mark the sentiment.
Irrevocabilior.More implacable. Found in this sense only in T. Cf. Böt. Lex. Tac.
Illicita. Unlawful, i.e. forbidden by the powers that be. Explained bycontumaciaandinani jactatione libertatisabove. T. is animadverting upon the conduct of certain stoics and republicans, who obtruded their opinions upon those in power, and coveted the glory of martyrdom.
Eo—excedere. Reach the same height of distinction.EoOld dat. cf.eo inopiae28, note.Excedere, lit. come out to,arrive at. Cf. Val. Max. 5, 6, 4:ad summum imperii fastigium excessit.
Per abrupta. "Through abrupt and dangerous paths." Ky.
Ambitiosa morte, i.e. morte ultro adita captandae gloriae causa apud posteros. For. and Fac.
XLIII.Luctuosus, afflictive, is stronger thantristis, sad.
Vulgus. The lower classes,the ignorant and indolent rabble.—Populus.The common people, tradesmen, mechanics, and the like. Hence,aliud agens, which implies that they were too busy with something else of a private nature, to give much attention to public affairs or the concerns of their neighbors.—Populusandvulgusare brought together in a similar way, Dial. de Clar. Orat. 7: Vulgus quoque imperitum et tunicatus hic populus, etc.
Nobis—ausim.I should not dare to affirm that we(the friends of A.)found any conclusive proof, that he was poisoned.—Ceterum.But. This implies that the circumstantial evidence, which he goes on to specify, convinced the writer and his friends, as well as the public, that poison administered by direction of Dom., was really the means of hastening A. out of the world. Dion Cassius expressly affirms, that he was poisoned, 66, 20.
Principatus. The imperial government in general, i.e. former Emperors.
Momenta ipsa deficientis.Each successive stage of his decline.Ipsais omitted in the common editions. But it rests on good authority and it adds to the significance of the clause:the very moments, as it were, were reported to Dom.
Per dispositos cursores. Dom. appears not to have been at Rome at this time, but in the Alban Villa (cf. 45), or somewhere else.
Constabat. That was anadmitted point, about which there was entireagreement(conandsto).
Animo vultuque. Hendiadys:he wore in his countenance an expression of heartfelt grief.
Securus odii. Now, that A. was dead, Dom. had nothing to fear in regard to theobject of his hatred, or thegratification of his hate.Odii. Gen. of the respect.—Qui—dissimularet.Qui==talis, ut, hence the subj. H. 501, I.; Z. 558.