FRETUM GALLICUM is a name which Solinus (Solin. 100.25, ed. Steph.) gives to the straits which separate Gallia and Britannia. Tacitus ( Agric. 100.40) calls it Fretum Oceani.It is the πορθμὸς Βρετανικόςof Strabo (p. 128). Thus, in ancient times, both the countries which it separates gave this narrow sea a name; and it has no general name, for the English call it the Straits of Dover, and the French sometimes Pas de Calais.
[G.L]