Speech of Calgacus

This speech was given before the Battle of Mons Graupius in

83/84CE.
When I consider how this war began and the danger we find ourselves in Im certain that our unity
today will signal the beginning of freedom for the whole of Britain. All of us here are united and
unknown to slavery. Weve nowhere left to flee to by land, or indeed by sea, since the Roman navy
threatens us there. Armed warfare is the right course for brave men like us, but it would be the
safest way even if we were cowards. Weve had mixed fortunes in our earlier battles with the
Romans but we still have hope that we can find safety. We Caledonians are the greatest of all the
Britons. In these remote unconquered regions weve kept ourselves uncontaminated by the slavery
of oppressors. Up to now distance and obscurity have kept us free and safe. Today, though, the last
coast of Britain lies bare to our enemies: to them it seems a great prize, the fools . No other peoples
stand beyond us, nothing but waves and rocks and more dangerous than both, our Roman
enemies. Making concessions and being moderate isnt going to save us from their tyranny. They
rape the whole world. When theyve finished devastating the land they turn their attentions to the
sea. If their enemies have wealth they want it; if theyre poor, it makes no difference, they still
hunger for power. Nowhere, east or west, is enough for them theyre the only ones who lust after
everything alike, rich or poor. Abduction, massacre, plunder they misname law and order. Where
they make a desert they call it peace.
. And another point: our bravery and aggression just provoke them, our masters. Our remoteness,
a source of security to us, they find suspicious. You can expect no mercy from them: so take heart,
whether its saving your pride or saving your skin that matters most to you. Remember: led by a
woman [Boudicca] the Brigantes [an error: Tacitus means the Iceni] found the capacity to overrun
one of their colonial outposts and destroy their forts, and if their good luck hadnt drained their
energy theyd have thrown off the Roman yoke. We, though, are undivided and unconquered. Our
destiny is freedom, not regret. From the start of this fight well show what men Caledonia has in
reserve.
In peace the Romans are decadent: do you think theyll show a manly spirit in war? They make a
name for themselves only from our disunity. They portray their enemys errors as a triumph for
their army a ragbag force, gathered from all the nations of the world, held together by success, but
vulnerable to failure. Unless you think that Gauls and Germans and (shame) even Britons despite
spilling their blood for the supremacy of others, remember theyve been enemies longer than they
have slaves will be held together by loyalty and devotion? Fear and terror are feeble chains of
attachment: when the chains are broken people cease to fear and start to hate. All the incentives to
win are ours. Theyre few in number, and terrified by their lack of knowledge. Everything here the
forests, the coast, even the sky looks alien to them. The gods have delivered them into our hands
caged and bound. Dont be scared by a meaningless show, by the flash of gold and silver: those
things cant protect or injure anyone. Its in the ranks of the enemy well find our allies. The Britons
will recognise their own cause, the Gauls will remember that they were once free, the rest of the
Germans will desert them just as the Usipi abandoned them recently. The Romans have nothing in
their rear to frighten us: their forts are empty, only old people are left in their settlements, their
towns are weakened and divided between rebellious subjects and oppressive rulers. On our side, a
leader and an army; on theirs, taxes, mines, and the other penalties of being enslaved. Today we
choose whether well suffer those penalties for ever or take immediate revenge. Into battle, then,
men: think of your ancestors, and your descendants!