Chapter 4, 78 AD to 306 AD – Agricola – Continued
In order to resist these northern invaders, the aid of the emperor was invoked by the prefect. Severus at once responded to the call, and came with a large army, though he was advanced in years, and suffering so much from gout that he had to be borne in a litter. He advanced farther northwards than any Roman had before done, but the difficulties were such, owing to the almost impassable nature of the country, that he is alleged to have lost fifty thousand men from fatigue and disease. His powerful army filled the wild tribes with dismay, and they would not risk a battle, but sued for peace. He is said to have erected a stone wall, with castles at intervals of a mile, near to Hadrian’s rampart, twelve feet high and eight feet thick, which was protected by an army of ten thousand men. On the north side of this wall was a ditch thirty six feet wide and fifteen feet deep, and on the south side was a military road, twenty four feet wide, leading from one station to another. Some modern authorities, however, deny that Severus built a wall, and allege that it was the work of Hadrian exclusively. Death overtook the emperor at Eburacum (York), then the second city of the island, in AD. 211; and he was succeeded by Caracalla.
Chapter 4, Agricola
Treatment of Conquered Provinces by the Romans
Visit of the Emperor Severus, Who Dies at York
Carausius Seizes on Supreme Power, He is Assassinated by Allectus, Who Succeeds Him
Chapter 4, Roman Roads and Towns
Results of the Roman Occupancy
Chapter 4, Roman Memorial of Death
Categories: Book 1
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