Gaius Julius Agricola (40–93 CE)

Question 1

Where was Gaius Julius Agricola born?

Answer 1

Forum Julii (modern-day Fréjus, France).

Question 2

In what year was Gaius Julius Agricola born?

Answer 2

40 AD.

Question 3

Who wrote the biography of Gaius Julius Agricola?

Answer 3

His son-in-law, Tacitus.

Question 4

Which battle is Agricola best known for winning?

Answer 4

The Battle of Mons Graupius.

Question 5

During which years did Agricola serve as governor of Britain?

Answer 5

77–85 AD.

Question 6

What was Agricola’s main focus during his governorship in Britain?

Answer 6

Romanizing the province and expanding Roman control.

Question 7

Which Roman emperor was Agricola loyal to during the Year of the Four Emperors?

Answer 7

Emperor Vespasian.

Question 8

True or False: Agricola promoted Roman education and customs in Britain.

Answer 8

True.

Question 9

Why was Agricola recalled to Rome after his military success in Britain?

Answer 9

Possibly due to Emperor Domitian’s jealousy of his popularity and success.

Question 10

What was the historical significance of Agricola’s campaigns in Scotland?

Answer 10

They extended Roman control further than ever before, though not permanently.

Question 11

Who was Agricola’s wife?

Answer 11

Domitia Decidiana.

Question 12

Which Roman province did Agricola govern, helping to integrate the local elite into Roman customs?

Answer 12

Britain.

Question 13

What was Agricola’s philosophical approach to power influenced by?

Answer 13

Stoic philosophy, particularly from Musonius Rufus.

Question 14

How did Agricola promote Romanization in Britain?

Answer 14

By encouraging Roman education, building infrastructure, and integrating local elites.

Question 15

Why is Agricola’s life and career significant in Roman history?

Answer 15

He played a key role in the Roman conquest and Romanization of Britain.

Question 16

What is the primary source of information about Agricola’s life?

Answer 16

Tacitus’ biography De vita et moribus Iulii Agricolae.

Question 17

How did Agricola’s soldiers react to a lunar eclipse during one of his campaigns?

Answer 17

They panicked, thinking it was a sign the gods were angry.

Question 18

Fill in the blank: Agricola’s greatest military victory in Britain was at the Battle of _____.

Answer 18

Mons Graupius.

Question 19

Which emperor may have been jealous of Agricola’s military achievements?

Answer 19

Emperor Domitian.

Question 20

True or False: Agricola was known for exploiting his province for personal gain.

Answer 20

False.

Question 21

What year did Gaius Julius Agricola die?

Answer 21

93 AD.

Question 22

Which Roman historian provides the primary account of Agricola’s life and career?

Answer 22

Tacitus.

Question 23

Fill in the blank: Agricola was born in the Roman town of _____.

Answer 23

Forum Julii.

Question 24

Why did Agricola have to explain an eclipse to his soldiers?

Answer 24

They thought it was a bad omen, and he had to reassure them.

Question 25

Fill in the blank: Agricola served as a military tribune in Britain in the year _____.

Answer 25

58 AD.

Question 26

How did Agricola encourage the Romanization of Britain’s local elite?

Answer 26

By promoting Roman education, clothing, and language.

Question 27

What type of terrain made Agricola’s Scottish campaigns challenging?

Answer 27

The difficult terrain of Scotland.

Question 28

True or False: Agricola’s conquests in Scotland were fully sustained by later Roman governors.

Answer 28

False.

Question 29

Who was Agricola’s philosopher mentor during his youth?

Answer 29

Musonius Rufus.