24 In the fifth year of the war,
Agricola, himself in the leading ship, crossed the Clota, and subdued in a
series of victories tribes hitherto unknown. In that part of Britain which
looks toward Ireland, he posted some troops, hoping for fresh conquests rather
than fearing attack, inasmuch as Ireland, being between Britain and Spain and
conveniently situated for the seas round Gaul, might have been the means of
connecting with great mutual benefit the most powerful parts of the empire. Its
extent is small when compared with Britain, but exceeds the islands of
our seas. In soil and climate, in the disposition, temper, and habits of its
population, it differs but little from Britain. We know most of its
harbours and approaches, and that through the intercourse of commerce. One of
the petty kings of the nation, driven out by internal faction, had been
received by Agricola, who detained him under the semblance of friendship till
he could make use of him. I have often heard him say that a single legion with
a few auxiliaries could conquer and occupy Ireland,
and that it would have a salutary effect on Britain for the Roman arms to be
seen everywhere, and for freedom, so to speak, to be banished from its sight.
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