64 THE ROMANS LEAVE BRITAIN. 



son Constantiue. The Brigantes being subdued, 

 their country was formed intoa Roman province de- 

 nominated Maxima Caesariensis. This province was 

 governed by a person or' consular dignity, and was 

 frequently visited by the Emperors themselves, as 

 appears from the deaths of several of them in the 

 capita). The Romans had many struggles before 

 they could totally conquer Britain ; no sooner had 

 they possession of one part of it, than troubles arose 

 in another, so as to keep them a long time cons- 

 tantly on the alert, a circumstance which they no 

 doubt anticipated, as it could not be supposed that 

 a people however rude, would be willing to resign 

 their property and liberty to others. 



The final establishment of the Romans in Brit- 

 ain commenced with Julius Agricola, who governed 

 it during the reigns of Vespasian, Titus, and Domit- 

 ian, and distinguished himself both by his courage 

 and humanity. 



But as all things have their changes, their eleva- 

 tions and depressions, so it was with the Romau 

 empire ; its power was overgrown, and begun to 

 sink under its own weight; divisions arose among 

 themselves, revolts and dissentions increased, until 

 they had to concentrate their power to attempt to 

 support a falling state. 



During these commotions, the young men of 

 Britain were taken into Gaul to fight the battles of 

 contending tyrant*. This, with the removal of the 

 Roman soldiers from it encouraged the neighbour- 

 ing powers, the Picts and Scots, who were always 

 watchful for plunder and dominion, to make incur- 



