Resumo de The Agricola

The Agricola is an eulogistic biography, known to the ancient Romans as a laudatio, written by the historian Tacitus about his father-in-law Gnaeus Julius Agricola. Covering the full breath of Agricola?s military and political career it is of particular interest to students of Romano-British history because of the number of postings Agricola had to the British province and the significance the island played in his life.
In addition to the story of one man?s career The Agricola has a theme, even an agenda, running throughout. It is the railing of a man of senatorial class against the misuse of the office of Emperor that leads to tyrannical rule. Written during the reign of Trajan, the second of the so-called ?Five Good Emperors?, not long after the end of Domitian?s oppressive principate Tacitus uses the life of his relation to illustrate how he believed autocracy obstructed men of merit from achieving their potential.
Agricola?s life story reflects the situation in the empire of the 1st century, as citizens from provinces outside of Italy rose to prominence. Born in Forum Julii, in the south of modern day France, Agricola?s father appeared to be the first of the family to achieve notoriety, though his career was curtailed by Caligula. As befitted his rank Agricola undertook a military apprenticeship in Britain as soon as he reached manhood, and he served during the time of the Boudiccan revolt. Tacitus makes no mention of outstanding acts performed by Agricola at this time, and it may well be that he wasn?t with the main Roman force that defeated Boudicca.
The new few years of his career are covered swiftly by Tacitus: an advantageous marriage, a questorship in the province of Asia, and a praetorship back in Rome. Throughout Tacitus seeks to emphasise the strength of Agricola?s character and the prudence of his actions. Though this is to be expected in a laudatio it does make it difficult to understand Agricola?s nature. All of his actions and even his inaction?s are praiseworthy according to Tacitus.
The events following Nero?s death and the civil wars during the ?Year of the Four Emperors? are also glossed over somewhat. This is unfortunate, as this period was the making of Agricola. He contrived to back the winning horse, Vespasian, and much of his subsequent advancement was owed to this decision.
Vespasian placed Agricola in command of the 20th legion in Northern England. According to Tacitus this was to ensure the support of a legion of questionable loyalty and discipline. Administration of a Gaulish province and the pinnacle of the office of consul then followed. Tacitus again moves swiftly through these events as he wishes to devote his attention to the most important period of Agricola?s career: the Governorship of Britain.
Tacitus takes this opportunity to discuss the nature of the Celtic tribes of Britain; at least how they were seen at the time through Roman eyes. It is interesting to note the Roman theories regarding the origins of the different tribes that they faced in the subjugation of the island. A brief history of the Roman occupation is also provided, listing the governors to that point and their achievements.
This provides the background for a detailed account of Agricola?s campaigns in the province. Firstly his subjugation of the Welsh tribes and then the inhabitants of lowland Caledonia. The history culminates in the highland campaigns and the battle of Mons Graupius, where Agricola defeated a Pictish confederation using only his auxiliary troops.
The final chapters of The Agricola relate the Emperor Domitian?s disquiet at Agricola?s fame and success and the manner in which he forced an early retirement on the general. Tacitus makes much of his father-in-law?s abilities and virtues and contrasts these with the tyrannical rule of Domitian. Agricola?s relatively early death is presented as a blessing in disguise. Tacitus claims that it was better that such a noble Roman did not live to see the depthhs to which the state sank during the final years of Domitian?s reign.
The Agricola stands as an example of a style of Roman prose that has survived all too rarely. It is not a historical biography as we would understand the term today, but it does provide a fascinating insight into the attitudes of Roman aristocracy at the beginning of the 2nd century.

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