20 Agricola, by the repression
of these abuses in his very first year in office, restored to peace its good
name, when, from either the indifference or the harshness of his predecessors,
it had come to be as much dreaded as war. When, however, summer came,
assembling his forces, he continually showed himself in the ranks, praised good
discipline, and kept the stragglers in order. He would himself choose the
position of the camp, himself explore the estuaries and forests. Meanwhile he
would allow the enemy no rest, laying waste his territory with sudden
incursions, and, having sufficiently alarmed him, would then by forbearance
display the allurements of peace. In consequence, many states, which up to that
time had been independent, gave hostages, and laid aside their animosities;
garrisons and forts were established among them with a skill and diligence with
which no newly-acquired part of Britain
had before been treated.
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