The Agricola (Latin: De vita et moribus Iulii Agricolae, lit. On the life and character of Julius Agricola) is a book by the Roman writer, Tacitus, written c. AD 98. The work recounts the life of his father-in-law Gnaeus Julius Agricola, an eminent Roman general and Governor of Britain from AD 77/78 – 83/84.[1] It also covers the geography and ethnography of ancient Britain.[2]
The text survived in a single codex ascertained by Poggio Bracciolini to be in a German monastery (Hersfeld Abbey).[3] It was eventually secured by the humanistNiccolò de' Niccoli.[3] In modern times, two manuscripts of the Agricola are preserved in the Library of the Vatican.[4] In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, two more manuscripts are said by Duane Reed Stuart to have been brought to light, with one being held by the Chapter Library of the Cathedral at Toledo in Spain and the other being found in 1902 in the private library of Count Balleani of Jesi, in Italy.[4]
After the assassination of Domitian in AD 96, Tacitus published the Agricola, his first 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 (Tac. Agricola 1–3).[2] 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 (Tac. Ag. 1).[2] 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 (Tac. Ag. 4).[2] 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 (Tac. Ag. 5).[2] The subsequent sections discuss Agricola's personal life and professional career prior to his governorship in Britannia (Tac. Ag. 6–9).[2]
In what follows, Tacitus describes the geography and ethnography of Britannia, including a description of the arability of the soil (Tac. Ag. 10–12).[2] 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 (Tac. Ag. 13–17).[2] In section 18, Tacitus reports Agricola's initial campaign as governor of Britannia, telling how he brought the island of Mona (Anglesey) under Roman control with a swift attack (Tac. Ag. 18).[2] In what follows Tacitus describes how Agricola managed the province and ushered in the adoption of the Latin language and Roman customs (Tac. Ag. 19–21).[2] 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 (Tac. Ag. 19–21).[2] Subsequently, Tacitus reports the events and military campaigns that Agricola undertook during his third, fourth, and fifth years as governor (Tac. Ag. 22–24).[2] 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 favour (Tac. Ag. 25–27).[2]
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 (Tac. Ag. 28).[2] In what follows, we are told of the background to the battle of Mons Graupius, including the death of Agricola's son (Tac. Ag. 29).[2] Tacitus then reports a long pre-battle speech by one of the leaders of the Britons, called Calgacus (Tac. Ag. 30–32).[2] Following this, Tacitus reports Agricola's own speech (Tac. Ag. 33–34).[2] In what follows, Tacitus describes the course of the battle itself and its immediate aftermath, stating that only nightfall stopped the Romans’ pursuit (Tac. Ag. 35–38).[2] 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 (Tac. Ag. 40–41).[2] 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 (Tac. Ag. 42).[2] Tacitus, in discussing the end of Agricola's life, says that rumours were voiced in Rome that Agricola was poisoned on the Emperor's orders and that his death was lamented by many (Tac. Ag. 43).[2] After reporting Agricola's death, Tacitus summarizes the circumstances of his birth and his character throughout his life (Tac. Ag. 44).[2] In the final two sections, Tacitus addresses his departed father-in-law directly, honouring him and vowing that Agricola will live on through the story he has told of him (Tac. Ag. 45–46).[2]
Themes
Wolf Liebeschuetz says that a major theme of the Agricola is an illustration of what happens when freedom is entirely forfeited to a despotic ruler.[5] Liebeschuetz suggests that Tacitus's Agricola not only includes an indictment of the reign of Domitian, but a comment on the state of living under the reign of emperors in general, and a lamentation of no longer living in Republican times.[5] An additional observation from Liebeschuetz is that Tacitus addresses the essential loss of freedom of speech that comes with having lived under a tyrant.[5] Katherine Clarke points out that another main purpose of Tacitus's Agricola is simply to honour the deeds of distinguished individuals, and to preserve these deeds and values for future generations to read and learn from.[6]
Style
Janet Bews points out that one style which Tacitus utilizes in the Agricola is the oratorical nature of the sections which discuss the British material, with the style being reminiscent of Cicero.[7] In the section devoted to relating Agricola's time as governor, Clarke reports that two models of historical style can be seen: that of Sallust and Livy.[7] Another author, B. C. McGing, suggests that there is a rhetorical technique that is subtle but nevertheless present in Tacitus called synkrisis, which he uses to draw comparisons between Agricola and other figures.[8]
^Birley, Anthony R. (20 December 2012). "Iulius (RE 49) Agricola, Gnaeus". The Oxford Classical Dictionary. Oxford University Press. ISBN978-0-19-954556-8.
^ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxTacitus. Agricola. Translated by Harold Mattingly and revised with an introduction and notes by J.B. Rives. London: Penguin Group, 2009.[page needed]
^ abSchaps, David (1979). "The Found and Lost Manuscripts of Tacitus' Agricola". Classical Philology. 74 (1): 28–42. doi:10.1086/366466. JSTOR 268260. S2CID 162329462.
^ abTacitus. Agricola. Translated by Duane Reed Stuart. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1909.[page needed]
^ abcLiebeschuetz, W. (1966). "The Theme of Liberty in the Agricola of Tacitus". The Classical Quarterly. 16 (1): 126–139. doi:10.1017/S0009838800003426. JSTOR 637537. S2CID 171003897.
^Clarke, Katherine (November 2001). "An Island Nation: Re-Reading Tacitus' Agricola". Journal of Roman Studies. 91: 94–112. doi:10.2307/3184772. JSTOR 3184772. S2CID 154250824.
^ abBews, Janet P. (1987). "Language and Style in Tacitus' 'Agricola'". Greece & Rome. 34 (2): 201–211. doi:10.1017/S001738350002814X. JSTOR 642947. S2CID 162244369.
^McGing, B. C. (1982). "Synkrisis in Tacitus' Agricola". Hermathena (132): 15–25. JSTOR 23040544.
External links
Wikisource has original text related to this article:
Birgitta Hoffmann (15 December 2001). . Lecture given to the Theoretical Archaeology Group conference held in Dublin. The Roman Gask Project. Archived from the original on 10 August 2007. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
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The Agricola Latin De vita et moribus Iulii Agricolae lit On the life and character of Julius Agricola is a book by the Roman writer Tacitus written c AD 98 The work recounts the life of his father in law Gnaeus Julius Agricola an eminent Roman general and Governor of Britain from AD 77 78 83 84 1 It also covers the geography and ethnography of ancient Britain 2 The text survived in a single codex ascertained by Poggio Bracciolini to be in a German monastery Hersfeld Abbey 3 It was eventually secured by the humanist Niccolo de Niccoli 3 In modern times two manuscripts of the Agricola are preserved in the Library of the Vatican 4 In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries two more manuscripts are said by Duane Reed Stuart to have been brought to light with one being held by the Chapter Library of the Cathedral at Toledo in Spain and the other being found in 1902 in the private library of Count Balleani of Jesi in Italy 4 Contents 1 Summary 2 Themes 3 Style 4 See also 5 Notes 6 External linksSummary EditAfter the assassination of Domitian in AD 96 Tacitus published the Agricola his first 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 Tac Agricola 1 3 2 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 Tac Ag 1 2 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 Tac Ag 4 2 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 Tac Ag 5 2 The subsequent sections discuss Agricola s personal life and professional career prior to his governorship in Britannia Tac Ag 6 9 2 In what follows Tacitus describes the geography and ethnography of Britannia including a description of the arability of the soil Tac Ag 10 12 2 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 Tac Ag 13 17 2 In section 18 Tacitus reports Agricola s initial campaign as governor of Britannia telling how he brought the island of Mona Anglesey under Roman control with a swift attack Tac Ag 18 2 In what follows Tacitus describes how Agricola managed the province and ushered in the adoption of the Latin language and Roman customs Tac Ag 19 21 2 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 Tac Ag 19 21 2 Subsequently Tacitus reports the events and military campaigns that Agricola undertook during his third fourth and fifth years as governor Tac Ag 22 24 2 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 favour Tac Ag 25 27 2 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 Tac Ag 28 2 In what follows we are told of the background to the battle of Mons Graupius including the death of Agricola s son Tac Ag 29 2 Tacitus then reports a long pre battle speech by one of the leaders of the Britons called Calgacus Tac Ag 30 32 2 Following this Tacitus reports Agricola s own speech Tac Ag 33 34 2 In what follows Tacitus describes the course of the battle itself and its immediate aftermath stating that only nightfall stopped the Romans pursuit Tac Ag 35 38 2 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 Tac Ag 40 41 2 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 Tac Ag 42 2 Tacitus in discussing the end of Agricola s life says that rumours were voiced in Rome that Agricola was poisoned on the Emperor s orders and that his death was lamented by many Tac Ag 43 2 After reporting Agricola s death Tacitus summarizes the circumstances of his birth and his character throughout his life Tac Ag 44 2 In the final two sections Tacitus addresses his departed father in law directly honouring him and vowing that Agricola will live on through the story he has told of him Tac Ag 45 46 2 Themes EditWolf Liebeschuetz says that a major theme of the Agricola is an illustration of what happens when freedom is entirely forfeited to a despotic ruler 5 Liebeschuetz suggests that Tacitus s Agricola not only includes an indictment of the reign of Domitian but a comment on the state of living under the reign of emperors in general and a lamentation of no longer living in Republican times 5 An additional observation from Liebeschuetz is that Tacitus addresses the essential loss of freedom of speech that comes with having lived under a tyrant 5 Katherine Clarke points out that another main purpose of Tacitus s Agricola is simply to honour the deeds of distinguished individuals and to preserve these deeds and values for future generations to read and learn from 6 Style EditJanet Bews points out that one style which Tacitus utilizes in the Agricola is the oratorical nature of the sections which discuss the British material with the style being reminiscent of Cicero 7 In the section devoted to relating Agricola s time as governor Clarke reports that two models of historical style can be seen that of Sallust and Livy 7 Another author B C McGing suggests that there is a rhetorical technique that is subtle but nevertheless present in Tacitus called synkrisis which he uses to draw comparisons between Agricola and other figures 8 See also EditDe Bello GallicoNotes Edit Birley Anthony R 20 December 2012 Iulius RE 49 Agricola Gnaeus The Oxford Classical Dictionary Oxford University Press ISBN 978 0 19 954556 8 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Tacitus Agricola Translated by Harold Mattingly and revised with an introduction and notes by J B Rives London Penguin Group 2009 page needed a b Schaps David 1979 The Found and Lost Manuscripts of Tacitus Agricola Classical Philology 74 1 28 42 doi 10 1086 366466 JSTOR 268260 S2CID 162329462 a b Tacitus Agricola Translated by Duane Reed Stuart New York The Macmillan Company 1909 page needed a b c Liebeschuetz W 1966 The Theme of Liberty in the Agricola of Tacitus The Classical Quarterly 16 1 126 139 doi 10 1017 S0009838800003426 JSTOR 637537 S2CID 171003897 Clarke Katherine November 2001 An Island Nation Re Reading Tacitus Agricola Journal of Roman Studies 91 94 112 doi 10 2307 3184772 JSTOR 3184772 S2CID 154250824 a b Bews Janet P 1987 Language and Style in Tacitus Agricola Greece amp Rome 34 2 201 211 doi 10 1017 S001738350002814X JSTOR 642947 S2CID 162244369 McGing B C 1982 Synkrisis in Tacitus Agricola Hermathena 132 15 25 JSTOR 23040544 External links Edit Wikisource has original text related to this article Agricola Wikiquote has quotations related to Tacitus Agricola at Dickinson College Commentaries Latin text with notes and vocabulary Agricola Latin text Agricola English translation Birgitta Hoffmann 15 December 2001 Archaeology versus Tacitus s Agricola a 1st Century Worst Case Scenario Lecture given to the Theoretical Archaeology Group conference held in Dublin The Roman Gask Project Archived from the original on 10 August 2007 Retrieved 2008 04 06 Agricola public domain audiobook at LibriVox Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Agricola book amp oldid 1133845042, wikipedia, 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