80 



north past Whitley Castle, and so on past Bewcastle. It is 

 more likely, however, to suppose that he went by the British 

 trackway, afterwards a part of the second iter of Antonine, to 

 the neighbourhood of Carlisle, where preparations would have to 

 be made for his advance during the next summer — AD. 80. 



Two very important matters here required his urgent attention, 

 viz :— First, the securing of his conquests, which he did by drawing 

 a line of forts from the Tyne to the Solway, as already mentioned. 

 Such forts would not only protect his rear, but also serve as rallying 

 points in case of defeat. The second great consideration was the 

 supply of provisions. He would, of course, find greater difficulty 

 in securing an ample supply of provisions the further he removed 

 from his base, and this even supposing everything to be tranquil in 

 his rear. In case of defeat, the most disastrous results were to be 

 anticipated ; for, as Agricola tells us in his address to his soldiers 

 before the battle of the Grampians, "our present greatest advantages 

 would become our most serious dangers on a retreat ; because we 

 have not the same acquaintance with the localities, or the same 

 supply of provisions. ' " For my own part, I have been long 

 convinced that a retreat is unsafe, both for troops and com- 

 mander."* 



Hence a thorough preparation was necessary. Each day would 

 take him to a greater distance from friends, who might be his 

 enemies in case of defeat. Hence he could not trust to their 

 friendship when his presence was removed, and for this reason he 

 must have absolute certainty as to his supplies ere he moved 

 from his winter quarters. Nothing could be left to chance. 



But here an opportunity presents itself of supplying these from 

 an independent base, and, like a skilful and prudent general, he 

 would doubtless avail himself of it. No one knew better than 

 himself how to seize upon the most fitting positions. In the 

 neighbourhood of the sea, with a new campaign opening out, what 

 more natural than the seeking out of the most likely place for a 

 port. Such port must be so situated as to afford ready means of 

 transit, not only "to the front," but also to the various camps 



* C. C. Taciti Agricola, cap. xxxiii. 



