262 APPENDIX ON THE ROMAN-BRITISH 



The condition of this island, improved by two centuries and 

 a half of Eoman civilization, was at that time highly pros- 

 perous. "Non mediocris" (says Eumenius), "jactura erat 

 reipublicae terra, tanto frugum ubere, tanto Iseta munere 

 pastionurn, tot metallorum fluens rivis, tot vectigalibus qusestuosa, 

 tot accincta portubus, tanto immensa circuitu." Carausius 

 became a considerable potentate in naval power, especially, 

 superior to the Eomans ; who, since their conquest of all the 

 countries bordering on the Mediterranean, had neglected maritime 

 warfare. Maximian in vain attempted an expedition against 

 him ; and in A.D. 289 terms of peace were agreed to, by which 

 that prince and Diocletian recognised him as (in Britain) their 

 partner in the empire. 



When, however (A.D. 292), Constantius and Galerius were 

 created " Caesars " (or presumptive successors to the empire), Con- 

 stantius, to whom the government of Gaul, Spain, and Britain 

 was assigned, lost no time in attacking Boulogne and reuniting 

 to the empire that and the other continental possessions which 

 Carausius still held. But no invasion of Britain appears to have 

 been then apprehended. 



In A.D. 294 Carausius was assassinated by his friend and minis- 

 ter, Allectus, who himself assumed the purple in Britain. Pre- 

 parations were now made by the Eoman emperors for an invasion ; 

 and in the third year of Allectus (A.D. 296) Constantius, having 

 collected two fleets of transports, one at Boulogne and the other 

 at the mouth of the Seine, set sail with a considerable force 

 from both ports simultaneously (himself embarking at Boulogne), 

 with contrary winds, and in thick, foggy weather. Part of the 

 expedition lost its way, and eventually sailed up the Thames to 

 London; the main body, with Constantius himself and his 

 Praetorian prefect Asclepiodotus, made for the British coast op- 

 posite the Isle of Wight, near which the navy of Allectus was 

 on the look-out for them. Under cover of the fog, that part of 

 the force which was under the command of Asclepiodotus 

 passed unseen by the British fleet, and effected a landing, 

 setting fire, immediately afterwards, to their ships. Allectus 

 who was in possession of the neighbouring port (doubtless 

 Portsmouth), and encamped upon the shore, hastily abandoned 



