Editing Roman conquest of Britain (section)

==Campaigns of Agricola (AD&nbsp;78–84)==
[[File:Agricola.Campaigns.78.84.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Agricola's campaigns.]]

The new governor was Agricola, returning to Britain, and made famous through the highly laudatory biography of him written by his son-in-law, Tacitus. Arriving in mid-78, Agricola completed the conquest of Wales in defeating the Ordovices<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Tacitus ''Agricola''|loc=18}}</ref> who had destroyed a cavalry [[ala (Roman military)|ala]] of Roman auxiliaries stationed in their territory. Knowing the terrain from his prior military service in Britain, he was able to move quickly to subdue them. He then invaded [[Roman conquest of Anglesey#Second invasion (77 CE)|Anglesey]], forcing the inhabitants to sue for peace.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Tacitus ''Agricola''|loc=18}}</ref>

The following year he moved against the [[Brigantes]] of northern England and the [[Selgovae]] along the southern coast of Scotland, using overwhelming military power to establish Roman control.<ref>{{Harvcolnb|Tacitus ''Agricola''|loc=20-21}}</ref>

===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.

=== Archaeology ===

In 2019 a marching camp dating to the 1st century AD was found, thought to have been used by Roman legions during the invasion of [[Gnaeus Julius Agricola|Agricola]]. Clay-domed ovens and 26 fire pits dated to AD 77–90 were also found, loaded with burnt objects and charcoal contents. The fire pits were 30 metres (98 feet) apart in two parallel lines. Archaeologists suggested that this site had been chosen as a strategic location for the Roman conquest of [[Ayrshire]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Archaeologists find remains of the Roman invasion of Ayrshire|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17663920.archaeologists-find-remains-roman-invasion-ayrshire/|access-date=13 September 2020|website=HeraldScotland|date=24 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=24 May 2019|title=New evidence uncovered for Roman conquest of Scotland|url=https://www.heritagedaily.com/2019/05/new-evidence-uncovered-for-roman-conquest-of-scotland/123820|access-date=13 September 2020|website=HeritageDaily - Archaeology News|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Lost Roman marching camp sheds new light on invasion of Scotland|url=https://www.scotsman.com/heritage-and-retro/heritage/lost-roman-marching-camp-sheds-new-light-invasion-scotland-1416571|access-date=13 September 2020|website=www.scotsman.com|date=28 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref>