Etiam tum obtinebat, i.e. he was still in possession of the government, and of course in command of the army, in Britain.
XL. Triumphalia ornamenta. Not a real triumph, which from the reign of
Augustus was conceded only to the Emperor or the princes of the Imperial
Family; but triumphal insignia, such as the corona, laurea, toga
praetexta, tunica palmata, sella curulis, &c. Dr.
Illustris statuae. Called laureata, Ann. 4, 23; triumphalis, His. 1, 79.
Quidquid datur. Besides the ornamenta above mentioned, sacrifices and thanksgivings were offered in the name of the victorious commander. Dr.
Addique. Al. additque. Addique is the reading of the MSS. and old editions. And it suits better the genius of Dom.; he did not express the opinionem himself, for it was not his real intention, but he ordered some one to put it in circulation as if from him, that he might have the credit of it and yet not be bound by it.—Destinari, sc. by Domitian.
Majoribus reservatam. Majoribus==illustrioribus. Syria was the richest province in the Empire, and the praefectship of it the most honorable office.
Ex secretioribus ministeriis. One of his private secretaries, or confidential agents.
Codicillos. Under the Emperors this word is used to denote an imperial letter or diploma. Properly a billet, diminutive of codex, tablet (==caudex, trunk of a tree).
Syria dabatur. Syria was one of the Provinces, that were at the disposal of the Emperor.
Ex ingenio principis. In accordance with (cf. ex, G. 7) the (dissimulating) genius or policy of Domitian. The design, if not real, at least imputed to him, was to withdraw Agricola from his province and his troops at all events, by the offer of the best province in the Empire if need be; but that object having been secured by Agricola's voluntary retirement, the offer, and even the ordinary civilities of life, especially official life, were deemed unnecessary. Compare this with the concluding sentence of the preceding chapter.