Quinquaginta annis. So many years, it might be said to be in round numbers, though actually somewhat less than fifty years, since the dominion of Rome was first established in Britain under the Emperor Claudius. Cf. 13, supra.—The speech of A. is not equal to that of Galgacus. He had not so good a cause. He could not appeal to the sacred principles of justice and liberty, to the love of home and household gods. But he makes the best of a bad cause. The speech is worthy of a Roman commander, and touches with masterly skill all those chords in a Roman soldier's breast, that were never touched in vain.
XXXV. Et==both. Both while he was speaking and after he had ceased, the soldiers manifested their ardor, etc.
Instinctos. Cf. note 16: instincti.
Aciem firmarent==aciem firmam facerent, of which use there are examples not only in T., but in Liv. Dr. The auxiliary foot formea or made up (not merely strengthened) the centre.—Affunderentur. Were attached to.—Pro vallo. On the rampart; properly on the fore part of it. Cf. note, H. 1, 29.
Ingens—decus. In app. with legiones—stetere.
Bellanti, sc. Agricolae. Al. bellandi.
In speciem. Cf. in suam famam, 8, and in jactationem, 5.
Aequo. Supply consisteret to correspond with insurgeret. Zeugma. Cf. note, 18: in aequum.
Media campi. The intervening parts of the plain, sc. between the two armies.—Covinarius is found only in T. Covinarii==the essedarii of Caesar. Covinus erat currus Belgarum, a quibus cum Britanni acceperant. Dr.
Pedes. Nom. sing, in app. with subject of constitit.