CHAPTER IV.
THE FALL OF THE ROMAN POWER IN BRITAIN.
[Sidenote: A.D.

117.] After the period which we have just closed, no mention is made of the affairs of Britain until the reign of Adrian.

At that time was wrought the first remarkable change in the exterior policy of Rome.

Although some of the emperors contented themselves with those limits which they found at their accession, none before this prince had actually contracted the bounds of the Empire: for, being more perfectly acquainted with all the countries that composed it than any of his predecessors, what was strong and what weak, and having formed to himself a plan wholly defensive, he purposely abandoned several large tracts of territory, that he might render what remained more solid and compact.
[Sidenote: A.D.

121.] [Sidenote: A.D.