Mona
- I The Isle of Man, near Britain, Caes. B. G. 5, 13.—
- II The Isle of Anglesea, Tac. A. 14, 29; id. Agr. 14; 18; Plin. 2, 75, 77, § 187.
De protectione Monarum et orphanorum. Quum autem Duces Normanniæ assueto ductu cantatis ex antiquo viduas sub protectione sua susceperint et pupillos.Vita B. Augustini Novelli tom. 4. Maii pag. 621 :
Quidam puerulus filius dictæ Monæ Morgaritæ.
MONA (Μόνα, Ptol. 3.2.12; Μώννα, Dio Cass.), an island in Britain, off the coast of the Ordovices, the Isle of Anglesey.
Caesar describes Mona as situated in the middle of the passage from Britain to Ireland (B. G. 5.13), but by Mona in this passage he must mean the Isle of Man, which Pliny calls MONAPIA(4.16. s. 30); and Ptolemy that of MONARINA or MONAOEDA (Μοναρίνα, Μονάοιδα).
The Isle of Anglesey was first invaded by Suetonius Paullinus, governor of Britain under Nero, A.D. 61. Previous to the appointment of Suetonius Paullinus, the Romans had met with some reverses in the west of Britain. From the vigorous measures adopted by Paullinŭs on entering upon the government of Britain, it may be inferred that the Druids of Mona had excited the Ordovices and the Silures to rise in rebellion ; or had assisted them; probably both. Tacitus states that Mona was a receptacle for fugitives. The island was well populated, and there the priests of the Druidical religion had established themselves in great strength. Paullinus was recalled from the conquest of Anglesey by the revolt of the Britons under Boadicea, and its subjugation was not completed till A.D. 78 by Agricola. (Tac. Agric. pp. 15, 18, Ann. 14.29.)
[C.R.S](Μόνα). The modern Anglesey (Angles Ey, “Englishman's island”); an island off the coast of the Ordovices in Britain, one of the chief seats of the Druids. Caesar erroneously describes this island as half way between Britannia and Hibernia (B. G. v. 13). Hence it has been supposed by some critics that the Mona of Caesar is the Isle of Man; but it is more probable, on account of the celebrity of Mona in connection with the Druids, that he had heard of Anglesey, and that he received a false report respecting its real position. The island was taken in A.D. 61 by Suetonius Paulinus, who broke the power of the Druids; and was again subdued by Agricola in A.D. 78 (Tac. Agric. 18; Ann. xiv. 29). See Monapia.