Agricola used maritime forces to close his northern flank and damage coastal economies. His ships supported the army in littoral waters instead of pursuing the peer-fleet battles associated with the Republic's great polyremes. The fleet's circumnavigation demonstrated that Britain was an island and supported a Roman claim to have conquered the whole main island, however briefly. Coastal access and pressure ashore gave the land campaign more freedom to operate. This was a Principate fleet serving an army without seeking an independent blue-water battle.
Chapter · 31:59-33:28
Agricola uses the fleet as an army's maritime flank
Agricola's northern campaigns show a Principate fleet supporting land operations, attacking coastal economies, and circumnavigating Britain.