![Book Cover of Agricola](/image/book/agricola.webp)
Agricola
'Agricola ' Summary
After the assassination of Domitian in AD 96 Tacitus published the Agricola, his first historical work.[2] In the first three sections of the Agricola, Tacitus discusses the nature of biographies and includes anecdotes on how previous examples have been treated. Tacitus also comments on the state of the Roman Empire at the time of his writing of the Agricola, stating that circumstances are not conducive to living a moral life. The fourth section is a summary of Agricola’s heritage, which was strong according to Tacitus, his personality, and education, which Tacitus says was well rounded and extensive. Tacitus then describes Agricola’s military apprenticeship in Britannia, describing how Agricola was helping to deal with tumultuous times in that province, with an uprising having taken place there. The subsequent sections discuss Agricola’s personal life and professional career prior to his governorship in Britannia.
In what follows, Tacitus describes the geography and ethnography of Britannia, including a description of the arability of the soil. Tacitus then describes the origin and events of the revolt of Boudicca, and the following years wherein Vespasian and the governors preceding Agricola subdued Britannia once again. In section 18, Tacitus reports Agricola’s initial campaign as governor of Britannia, telling how he brought the island of Mona under Roman control with a swift attack. In what follows Tacitus describes how Agricola managed the province and ushered in the adoption of the Latin language and Roman customs. In this section Tacitus addresses the theme of subjugation to the Romans and considers the willing adoption of Roman language and customs a form of slavery rather than civilization. Subsequently, Tacitus reports the events and military campaigns that Agricola undertook during his third, fourth, and fifth years as governor. The campaign in Agricola’s sixth year as governor is described next, and Tacitus makes a point of discussing Agricola’s ability to counter the enemy’s plans and turn the tide in his favor.
In section 28, Tacitus reports the tale of a group of men who had been recruited in Germania and how they mutinied against the Romans and had various adventures before being captured and sold into slavery. In what follows, we are told of the background to the battle of Mons Graupius, including the death of Agricola’s son. Tacitus then reports a long pre-battle speech by one of the leaders of the Britons, called Calgacus. Following this, Tacitus reports Agricola’s own speech. In what follows, Tacitus describes the course of the battle itself and its immediate aftermath, stating that only nightfall stopped the Romans’ pursuit. Tacitus then reports how the news of Agricola’s success in Britannia was received by the emperor Domitian, and Domitian’s alleged jealousy of Agricola’s military prowess. Tacitus discusses how Domitian had sent confidants to discover Agricola’s intentions in regards to becoming a proconsul of either Asia or Africa and Domitian’s temperament. Tacitus, in discussing the end of Agricola’s life, says that rumors were voiced in Rome that Agricola was poisoned on the Emperor's orders and that his death was lamented by many. After reporting Agricola’s death, Tacitus summarizes the circumstances of his birth and his character throughout his life . In the final two sections, Tacitus addresses his departed father-in-law directly, honoring him and vowing that Agricola may live on through the story he has told of him.
Book Details
Language
EnglishOriginal Language
LatinPublished In
98 ADAuthor
![Cornelius Tacitus image](/thumbs/image/author/cornelius-tacitus.webp)
Cornelius Tacitus
Roman Empire
Publius Cornelius Tacitus was a Roman historian and politician. Tacitus is widely regarded as one of the greatest Roman historians by modern scholars. He lived in what has been called the Silver Age o...
More on Cornelius TacitusDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books
![All Things Considered Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/all-things-considered.webp)
All Things Considered by Gilbert K. Chesterton
Another delightful and sharply pointed excursion into the topics of the day, and of this day as well, with Gilbert Keith Chesterton. These reprinted m...
![Laches Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/laches.webp)
Laches by Plato (Πλάτων)
The Laches is a Socratic dialogue written by Plato. Participants in the discourse present competing definitions of the concept of courage.
![Laws Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/laws.webp)
Laws by Plato (Πλάτων)
Laws is Plato's last and longest dialogue. It is generally agreed that Plato wrote this dialogue as an older man, having failed in his effort in Syrac...
![Hildebrand and his Times Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/hildebrand-and-his-times.webp)
Hildebrand and his Times by William Richard Ward Stephens
Embark on a captivating journey through the life and times of Hildebrand, a pivotal figure in the history of the papacy during the 11th century. Willi...
![A History of Greece to the Death of Alexander the Great, Vol 2 Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/a-history-of-greece-to-the-death-of-alexander-the-great-vol-2.webp)
A History of Greece to the Death of Alexander the Great, Vol 2 by John Bagnell Bury
A History of Greece to the Death of Alexander the Great was first published in 1900. It went on to become a standard text in many colleges and was use...
![The Story of My Life Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/the-story-of-my-life.webp)
The Story of My Life by Helen Keller
The Story of My Life, first published in 1903, is Helen Keller's autobiography detailing her early life, especially her experiences with Anne Sullivan...
![Minor Works of Josephus Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/minor-works-of-josephus.webp)
Minor Works of Josephus by Flavius Josephus
There are 3 parts to this collection. Against Apion is a two-volume defence of Judaism as classical religion and philosophy, stressing its antiquit...
![History of the Conquest of Mexico Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/history-of-the-conquest-of-mexico.webp)
History of the Conquest of Mexico by W.H. Prescott
William H Prescott was an American historian whose sight had reduced him to near blindness, and who had never visited Mexico, yet researched and recon...
![Journal of A Residence On A Georgian Plantation, 1838-1839 Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/journal-of-a-residence-on-a-georgian-plantation-1838-1839.webp)
Journal of A Residence On A Georgian Plantation, 1838-1839 by Frances Kemble
Fanny Kemble was a British actress who married mega-plantation owner, Pierce Butler of Georgia. During her marriage she kept journals of everyday life...
Reviews for Agricola
No reviews posted or approved, yet...