n 47 Plautius was succeeded by P. Ostorius Scapula, who pressed
westwards and fought a great battle with the nationalist army of
Caratacus in 51. Camulodunum became a colonia in 50, and the military
organization of Britain then began to take shape by the establishment
of four legionary headquarters--Isca Silurum (Caerleon-on-Usk),
Viroconium (Wroxeter), Deva (Chester) and Lindum (Lincoln). This
disposition, which faced north and west, came near to breaking down in
61, when the east rose under Boudicca (Boadicea), queen of the Iceni,
partly in protest against the usury of Seneca, the philosopher and
tutor of Nero.

(4) It was in the year 97, during the principate of Nerva, that
Tacitus the historian was consul. By this time the IXth Hispana legion
had been transferred from Lindum to Eburacum (York).

(5) Under Antoninus Pius a revolt of the Brigantes (between Humber and
Mersey) was put down by A. Lollius Urbicus in A.D. 140. Lollius also
completed the northern defences, begun by Hadrian, with a new wall
further north between the Firth and the Clyde.

(6) While Marcus Aurelius was emperor, according to a tradition
preserved by Bede, the British Church came into close connection with
Rome and received what he calls a mission--more probably a band of
fugitives from persecution. Though the tale is doubtful in details, it
is evidence to show that Christianity was strong in the island by this
time.

(9) Decius, husband of Etruscilla, was responsible for the great
persecution of Christians in 250-51; the occasion was the 1,000th
anniversary of Rome's foundation.

(10) Gallienus, son of Valerian, was entrusted with the west on his
father's accession in 253 and defended the Rhine frontier until he was
left sole Emperor in 258, when Valerian was captured by Shapur of
Persia. Various usurpations compelled Gallienus to enter Italy, and he
left the Rhine defences in charge of a general--M. Cassianius Latinius
Postumus.

(11) Postumus at once had to face a great invasion of Franks. He
gained some successes and was therefore proclaimed emperor by the
armies of Gaul and Britain. Before long dissensions broke out in the
Gallic empire and several commanders rose and fell in rapid
succession. It is conceivable that some of these are represented in
the coins found in Blackbanks, but these specimens are too badly
weathered for certain identification to be possible.

(12) On March 4, 268, Gallienus was assassinated. His successor was