CHAPTER V

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CARACTACUS, BOADICEA, AND AGRICOLA.

State of Britain after the departure of Cæsar--Landing of Plautius--His skirmishes with the Britons in the marshes beside the Thames--Arrival of the Roman emperor Claudius--Ostorius conquers and disarms the Britons--Rise of Caractacus--British encampment in Wales--Caractacus defeated, betrayed by his step-mother, and carried captive to Rome--Death of the Roman general Ostorius--Retreat of the Druids to the Isle of Anglesey --Suetonius attacks the island--Consternation of the Roman soldiers on landing--Massacre of the Druids, and destruction of their groves and altars--Boadicea, queen of the Iceni, assumes the command of the Britons--Her sufferings--She prepares for battle, attacks the Roman colony of Camaladonum--Her terrible vengeance--Her march into London, and destruction of the Romans--Picturesque description of Boadicea and her daughters in her ancient British war-chariot--Harangues her soldiers --Is defeated by Suetonius, and destroys herself--Agricola lands in Britain--His mild measures--Instructs the islanders in agriculture and architecture--Leads the Roman legions into Caledonia, and attacks the men of the woods--Bravery of Galgacus, the Caledonian chief--Agricola sails round the coast of Scotland--Erects a Roman rampart to prevent the Caledonians from invading Britain p. 40

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