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Seventy-five years later [after Hadrianās visit] the Emperor Severus conducted a military campaign against certain turbulent tribesmen in Britain. This is described by the historian Herodian, a contemporary of Severus.
19. A cam-
paign in
Britain A.D.
208-211
While Severus thus grieved at the dissolute life of his sons and their unbecoming attachment to public spectacles, he received letters from the prefect of Britain, relating that the barbarians there were in a state of insurrection, overrunning the country, carrying off booty, and laying everything waste; so that for defense of the island there was need of either greater force or of the presence of the Emperor himself, and anxious, after his victories in the East and North and his consequent titles, to obtain a trophy from the Britons, willing, moreover, to withdraw his sons from Rome that they might grow up in the sobriety and discipline of a military life far removed from the blandishments and luxuries prevalent there, he ordered an expedition against Britain, although now old and laboring under an arthritic affection, but as to his mind vigorous beyond any youth.
For the most part he performed the march carried in a litter, nor did he ever continue long in one place. Having completed the journey with his sons and crossed over the sea more quickly than could be described or expected, he advanced 29against the Britons, and having drawn together the soldiers from all sides and concentrated a vast force, he prepared for the war. The Britons, much struck with the sudden arrival of the Emperor, and learning that such a mighty force was collected against them, sent ambassadors, sued for peace, and were willing to excuse their past transgressions. But Severus, purposely seeking delay that he might not return to Rome without his object, and, moreover, desirous to obtain from Britain a victory and a title, sent away their ambassadors without effecting their purpose, and prepared all things for the contest. He more especially endeavored to render the marshy places stable by means of causeways, that his soldiers treading with safety might easily pass them, and, having firm footing, fight to advantage. For many parts of the British country, being constantly flooded by the tides of the ocean, become marshy. In these the natives are accustomed to swim and wade about, being immersed as high as their waists. . . . When everything appeared to Severus sufficiently arranged for the war, leaving his younger son, named Geta, in that part of the island which was subjugated to the Romans for the purpose of administering justice and directing other civil matters of the government, giving him as assessors the more aged of his friends, and taking Antoninus with himself, he led the way against the barbarians.
1 From Herodianus, Lib. iii, c. 46; Monumenta Historica Britannica, pp. lxiii sq.