1But in the summer in which he began the sixth year of his office, having taken in the states lying beyond the Bodotria, since a rising of all the peoples further on was feared, and the army's routes were feared to be beset by the enemy, he explored the harbours with his fleet; 1the fleet, now first employed by Agricola as part of his forces, followed him in a fine display, as the war was pushed forward by land and sea at once, and often in the same camp infantry, cavalry and marines, mingling their supplies and their high spirits, would extol each his own deeds, his own adventures, and with soldierly boasting would compare, now the depths of forests and mountains, now the hardships of storms and waves, on one side the land and the enemy, on the other the conquered Ocean.
2The Britons too, as was heard from prisoners, were dumbfounded at the sight of the fleet, as if, now that the secret places of their sea had been laid open, their last refuge in defeat were being closed. 3The peoples inhabiting Caledonia turned to arms and action, with great preparation, magnified by greater rumour, as is usual with the unknown, and by going so far as to attack our forts they had increased alarm, as men who take the offensive; 3and the cowardly, posing as the prudent, were advising that they should go back to this side of the Bodotria and withdraw rather than be driven out, when meanwhile Agricola learns that the enemy are about to attack in several columns.
4And so that he should not be surrounded by their superior numbers and knowledge of the country, he too divided his army into three parts and advanced.