Picts

The Beginning of a Pictish Nation

Calgacus delivering his speech to the Caledonians.

Mons Graupius, on the slopes of the Clevage Hills in Dunning 83 CE. A Caledonian leader of noble birth united the remaining free tribes of today's Scotland in the face of a pressing Roman threat. He was described by Tacitus as a "Man of outstanding courage and lofty noble lineage". Cornelius Tacitus was a senator, a historian, and was the son-in-law of the Roman Commander and governor of Britannia Julius Agricola. The Caledonian leader was said to carry the name Calgacus which means "Possessing a blade". Calgacus brought a host of thirty thousand men to face eight thousand auxiliary infantry and four thousand auxiliary cavalry chosen from tribes who had proven their loyalty to Rome. Although Legions were present there is no mention of their numbers. Tacitus writes a romanticized speech given by Calgacus to evoke passion in his men and drive them to fight for their freedom. Though the words may not have flowed directly from Calgacus' lips they certainly speak from the heart of a people on the brink of ruination.

"Whenever I consider the origin of this war and the necessities of our position, I have a sure confidence that this day, and this union of yours, will be the beginning of freedom to the whole of Britain. To all of us slavery is a thing unknown; there are no lands beyond us, and even the sea is not safe, menaced as we are by a Roman fleet. And thus in war and battle, in which the brave find glory, even the coward will find safety. Former contests, in which, with varying fortune, the Romans were resisted, still left in us a last hope of succour, inasmuch as being the most renowned nation of Britain, dwelling in the very heart of the country, and out of sight of the shores of the conquered, we could keep even our eyes unpolluted by the contagion of slavery. To us who dwell on the uttermost confines of the earth and of freedom, this remote sanctuary of Britain’s glory has up to this time been a defense. Now, however, the furthest limits of Britain are thrown open, and the unknown always passes for the marvelous. But there are no tribes beyond us, nothing indeed but waves and rocks, and the yet more terrible Romans, from whose oppression escape is vainly sought by obedience and submission. Robbers of the world, having by their universal plunder exhausted the land, they rifle the deep. If the enemy be rich, they are rapacious; if he be poor, they lust for dominion; neither the east nor the west has been able to satisfy them. Alone among men they covet with equal eagerness poverty and riches. To robbery, slaughter, plunder, they give the lying name of empire; they make a solitude and call it peace."

The forces of Calgacus stood in a strong position on the crest of the hill Facing a wall of Agricola's auxiliary infantry below; He held the legions of Rome in reserve behind. As the battle began each side fired a wall of missiles and then closed to hand to hand combat. Agricola's auxiliary cavalry neutralized the opponents chariots and then quickly turned to the men on foot. As the battle stormed on the Caledonians pressed forward and threatened to encompass their enemies so Agricola ordered his reserve cavalry behind Calgacus' lines and attacked him from the rear. This was devistating and as darkness hastened upon them the Caledonians slipped away under the cover of night.

Although the Caledonians suffered a defeat and lost nearly ten thousand warriors the Roman advance was haulted and the Highlands remained relatively free. Had they not united Agricola's army would have sweep in obliterating the individual tribes one by one until the remaining lands were under Roman rule. Agricola withdrew to the Gask line forts and was then recalled to Rome for political reasons the year after. The Roman forces at the border of the highlands and the few placed within were then called upon to answer the rebellious Dacians in the east. The Northern tribes continued as a united front and were later given the name "Picti" meaning "Painted people" during the campaign of Emperor Severous in 210CE . There was no mention of Calgacus after the battle was over. It is unlikely that he was killed or taken prisoner. If he was captured he would have been paraded through Rome before the Senate and executed. A triumph of this nature would have certainty been documented. To this day the actual site of the battle is still up for discussion as there are a few viable locations and Tacitus' inconclusive writings are the only reference. With new finds being unearthed every year only time will tell what the discoveries of tomorrow will bring to light.

The full speech of Calgacus as well as the translation can be read on the following website
http://www.quirites.com/2011/calgacus-battle-mons-graupius-speech/

Though a valuable source the details of this battle are known through the literary works of Tacitus and run the risk of the facts being embellished upon to add eminence to Agricola and in turn Rome.

Cornelius Tacitus (AD 56 – AD 117) The statue of Gnaeus Julius Agricola
Erected in 1894 at the Roman Baths.

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Micheal McMorland
Leader of the Pictish War-band "Men of the Snow"