CEREALIS (CERIALIS), PETILLIUS (1st

See also:

• CENTURY (from Lat. centuria, a division of a hundred men)

century A.D.)  , Roman general, a near relative of the emperor Vespasian . He is first heard of during the reign of Nero in Britain, where he was completely defeated (A.D . 61) by Boadicea . Eight years later he played an important part in the capture of Rome by the supporters of Vespasian . In 70 he put down the revolt of Civilis (q.v.) . In 71, aS governor of Britain, where he had as a subordinate the famous Agricola, he inflicted severe defeats upon the Brigantes, the most powerful of the' tribes of Britain . Tacitus says that he was a bold soldier rather than a careful general, and preferred to stake everything on the issue of a single engagement . He possessed natural eloquence of a kind that readily appealed to his soldiers . His loyalty towards his superiors was unshakable . Tacitus, Annals, xiv . 32; Histories, iii . 59, 78, iv .

71, 75, 86, v.21; Agricola, 8, 17 .