Editing Roman conquest of Britain (section)

===Agricola in Caledonia===

Tacitus says that after a combination of force and diplomacy quieted discontent among the Britons who had been conquered previously, Agricola built forts in their territories in 79. In 80, he marched to the [[Firth of Tay]] (some historians hold that he stopped along the [[Firth of Forth]] in that year), not returning south until 81, at which time he consolidated his gains in the new lands that he had conquered, and in the rebellious lands that he had re-conquered.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Tacitus ''Agricola''|loc=19–23}}</ref><ref>{{Harvcolnb|Tacitus ''Agricola''|loc=24–38}}</ref> In 82, he sailed to either [[Kintyre]] or the shores of [[Argyll]], or to both. In 83 and 84, he moved north along Scotland's eastern and northern coasts using both land and naval forces, campaigning successfully against the inhabitants and winning a significant victory over the northern British peoples led by [[Calgacus]] at the [[Battle of Mons Graupius]]. Archaeology has shown the Romans built military camps in the north along [[Gask Ridge]], controlling the glens that provided access to and from the [[Scottish Highlands]], and also throughout the [[Scottish Lowlands]] in northeastern Scotland.

Agricola built a network of military roads and forts to secure the Roman occupation. Existing forts were strengthened and new ones planted in northeastern Scotland along the [[Highland Line]], consolidating control of the glens that provided access to and from the [[Scottish Highlands]]. The line of military communication and supply along southeastern Scotland and northeastern England (i.e., [[Dere Street]]) was well-fortified. In southernmost Caledonia, the lands of the [[Selgovae]] (approximating to modern [[Dumfriesshire]] and the [[Kirkcudbrightshire|Stewartry of Kirkcudbright]]) were heavily planted with forts, not only establishing effective control there, but also completing a military enclosure of south-central Scotland (most of the [[Southern Uplands]], [[Teviotdale]], and western [[Tweeddale]]).<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Frere|1987|pp=88–89}}, ''Britannia''</ref> In contrast to Roman actions against the Selgovae, the territories of the [[Novantae]], [[Damnonii]], and [[Votadini]] were not planted with forts, and there is nothing to indicate that the Romans were at war with them. Agricola was recalled to Rome in 84.