65 



Scoti and Picti conjoined by Claudian,* Bede and Sidonius Apol- 

 linaris.-f- 



The fourth devastation was continued through the years 367, 368, 

 and 369 ; and in MarceUinus's account, while it seems to have reduced 

 the Britons to the last extremity of despair, it was avowedly resisted 

 with all that Roman prudence, discipline, and craft could oppose to its 

 progress. A general of the highest military character was sent to 

 avert it ; he called into exertion not only all the vigour of his own 

 mind, but all the discipline of a veteran soldiery, whom it was thought 

 necessary to unite in this service; and after all, it was not without the 

 operation of every stratagem of war, and the most diligent personal 

 attention, that he was able to relieve the Britons or recover the pro- 

 vince which had passed into the power of the enemy. ;]: 



This is the expedition which Claudian celebrates in his panegyric 

 on Theodosius, and the active part which the Scots had in it, is more 

 fully marked by that poet. " And Theodosius," he adds, "follow- 

 ing the Scots with the sword through all their windings, broke the 



* See post, in this section, f " Scotum et cum Saxone Pictum." — Carm. 7. Lib. 7. 1. 90. 



X " Profectus itaque ab Ambianis Treverosque festinans, nuntio percellitur gravi, qui 

 Britannias indicabat barbarica conspiratione ad ultimam vexatas inopiam. * * * Eo 

 tempore, Picti in duas gentes divisi, Dicaledones et Vecturiones, itidemque Attacotti bellicosa 

 hominum natio, et Scotti per diversa vagantes multa populabantur." And afterwards, in conti- 

 nuation : " Theodosius vero dux nominis inclyti, animo vigore coUecto ab Augusta profectus, 

 quam veteres appellavere Lundinium, cum milite industria comparato sollerti, versis turba- 

 tisque Britannorum fortunis, opem raaximam tulit, Opportuna ubique ad insidiandum Bar- 

 baris praeveniens loca, nihil gregariis imperans cujus non ipse primitias alacri capesseret 

 mente. Hocque genere cum strenui militis et praeclari ducis curas expleret, fusis variis genti- 

 bus et fugatis, quas insolentia nutriens securitatem aggredi Romanas res inflammabat, in 

 integrum restituit civitates et castra multiplicibus quidem damnis afflicta, &c." — Ammian. 

 MarceU. b. 27. c. 8. and b. 28. c. 3. 



VOL. XVI. K 



