3 Review(s)

Germania and Agricola by Cornelius Tacitus comprises two significant works that reflect Roman views on the Germanic tribes and on one of Rome’s esteemed military leaders, Gnaeus Julius Agricola. Germania offers a detailed ethnographic study of the Germanic people, describing their customs, society, and values. Tacitus contrasts the Germanic tribes with Roman civilization, often idealizing their simplicity and martial virtues, possibly as a critique of Rome’s perceived moral decline. Through vivid descriptions, he portrays the tribes as noble savages, valuing freedom, bravery, and communal integrity over Rome’s political complexities and corruption.Agricola, on the other hand, is a biographical account of Tacitus’s father-in-law, who served as governor of Roman Britain and achieved notable military success in expanding Rome's influence in the British Isles. Tacitus details Agricola’s military campaigns, administrative reforms, and efforts to Romanize the local population. While celebrating Agricola's achievements, Tacitus subtly criticizes the Roman Empire’s authoritarian practices, illustrating how Agricola’s loyalty to Rome was met with suspicion and repression under Emperor Domitian's regime.