CHAPTER V.
BRITAIN.
BRITAIN is triangular in form; its longest side lies
parallel to Keltica, in length neither exceeding nor falling
short of it; for each of then extends as much as 4300 or
4400 stadia: the side of Keltica extending from the mouths of
the Rhine to the northern extremities of the Pyrenees towards Aquitaine; and that of Britain, which commences at
Kent, its most eastern point, opposite the mouths of the
Rhine, extending to the western extremity of the island,
which lies over against Aquitaine and the Pyrenees. This is
the shortest line from the Pyrenees to the Rhine; the longest
is said to be 5000 stadia; but it is likely that there is some
convergency of the river towards the mountain from a strictly
parallel position, there being an inclination of either toward
the other at the extremities next the ocean.
[
2]
There are four passages commonly used from the continent to the island, namely, from the mouths of the rivers
Rhine, Seine, Loire, and Garonne; but to such as set sail
from the parts about the Rhine, the passage is not exactly
from its mouths, but from the Morini,
1 who border on the
Menapii,
2 among whom also is situated Itium,
3 which divus
Cæsar used as his naval station when about to pass over to
the island: he set sail by night, and arrived the next day about
the fourth hour,
4 having completed a passage of 320 stadia,
and he found the corn in the fields. The greatest portion of
the island is level and woody, although many tracts are hilly.
It produces corn, cattle, gold, silver, and iron, which things
are brought thence, and also skins, and slaves, and dogs
sagacious in hunting; the Kelts use these, as well as their
native dogs, for the purposes of war. The men are taller
than the Kelts, with hair less yellow; they are slighter in their
persons. As an instance of their height, we ourselves saw at
Rome some youths who were taller than the tallest there
by as much as half a foot, but their legs were bowed,
and in other respects they were not symmetrical in conformation. Their manners are in part like those of the
Kelts, though in part more simple and barbarous; insomuch
that some of them, though possessing plenty of milk, have not
skill enough to make cheese, and are totally unacquainted
with horticulture and other matters of husbandry. There
are several states amongst them. In their wars they make
use of chariots for the most part, as do some of the Kelts.
Forests are their cities; for having enclosed an ample space
with felled trees, they make themselves huts therein, and lodge
their cattle, though not for any long continuance. Their atmosphere is more subject to rain than to snow; even in their
clear days the mist continues for a considerable time, inso-
much that throughout the whole day the sun is only visible
for three or four hours about noon; and this must be the case
also amongst the Morini, and the Menapii, and among all the
neighbouring people.
[
3]
Divus Cæsar twice passed over to the island, but quickly
returned, having effected nothing of consequence, nor proceeded far into the country, as well on account of some commotions in Keltica, both among his own soldiers and among
the barbarians, as because of the loss of many of his ships at
the time of the full moon, when both the ebb and flow of
the tides were greatly increased.
5 Nevertheless he gained
two or three victories over the Britons, although he had
transported thither only two legions of his army, and brought
away hostages and slaves and much other booty. At the
present time, however, some of the princes there have, by
their embassies and solicitations, obtained the friendship of
Augustus Cæsar, dedicated their offerings in the Capitol, and
brought the whole island into intimate union with the
Romans. They pay but moderate duties both on the imports
and exports from Keltica; which are ivory bracelets and
necklaces, amber, vessels of glass, and small wares; so that
the island scarcely needs a garrison, for at the least it would
require one legion and some cavalry to enforce tribute from
them; and the total expenditure for the army would be equal
to the revenue collected; for if a tribute were levied, of necessity the imposts must be diminished, and at the same time
some danger would be incurred if force were to be employed.
[
4]
There are also other small islands around Britain; but
one, of great extent, Ierna,
6 lying parallel to it towards the
north, long, or rather, wide; concerning which we have
nothing certain to relate, further than that its inhabitants are
more savage than the Britons, feeding on human flesh, and
enormous eaters, and deeming it commendable to devour their
deceased fathers,
7 as well as openly
8 to have commerce not only with other women, but also with their own mothers and
sisters.
9 But this we relate perhaps without very competent
authority; although to eat human flesh is said to be a Scythian custom; and during the severities of a siege, even the
Kelts, the Iberians, and many others, are reported to have
done the like.
10
[
5]
The account of Thulè is still more uncertain, on account
of its secluded situation; for they consider it to be the
northernmost of all lands of which the names are known.
The falsity of what Pytheas has related concerning this and
neighbouring places, is proved by what he has asserted of well-
known countries. For if, as we have shown, his description
of these is in the main incorrect, what he says of far distant
countries is still more likely to be false.
11 Nevertheless, as far
as astronomy and the mathematics are concerned, he appears
to have reasoned correctly, that people bordering on the frozen
zone would be destitute of cultivated fruits, and almost de-
prived of the domestic animals; that their food would consist of millet, herbs, fruits, and roots; and that where there
was corn and honey they would make drink of these. That
having no bright sun, they would thresh their corn, and store
it in vast granaries, threshing-floors being useless on account
of the rain and want of sun.