Tutorial 1 - Tacitus' Agricola Flashcards
Why did Tacitus write the Agricola?
Autobiography passed in and out of fashion in Rome, Tacitus’ age was returning to the art of biography due to the encouragement of Nerva and Trajan, so Tacitus is hearkening back to an ancient practice as a dedication to his father in law - perhaps to align himself with the equestion family he married into and to elevated his status as a writer
Who was Agricola?
Agricola - aside from being Tacitus’ father-in-law - was a member of a high ranking equestrian family, who was first apprenticed to the war in Britain, and then married a high-ranking woman and began to advance up the cursus honorum where he was assigned to be quaestor of Asia, then the tribune of the plebs, and then praetor. His mother was murdered by Otho’s sailors and his inheritance ravaged, at the same time, Vespasian claimed the throne and Agricola immediately supported him. After successes in Britain, he was made patrician and given charge of Aquitania, with the promise of consulship later on. After 3 years he was made consul and betrothed his daughter to Tacitus, then given the status of pontiff of Britain.
What attempts does Agricola make to alleviate resentment?
Reducing the usage of slavery which the Britons naturally rebelled against, actively involved in daily lives, matched crime to punishment and used leniency when prudent - made the grain trade simpler and more accessible to the natives
What are the contents of Calcagus’ speech in the Agricola?
Calculus is arguing that Rome’s great weakness is what they also regard as their greatest strength: the patchwork army made of different provinces and conquered lands - how can the Romans inspire loyalty except through fear and panic? Their arrogance in imperialism lends them to desecrate and desolate the land and people, turning the Britons against each other and using allies among the Britons to carry out the same acts of warfare against their own people that the Romans do.
What can be learnt from this text about the role and duties of a Roman governor. Is Agricola a typical example?
Agricola is presented as unique in his patience and lack of desire for glory - although this may just have been in order to present a stark contrast to Domitian and to justify Tacitus’ own dislike of the emperor.
Does the Agricola tell us more about the perspective of the ruler or the ruled?
Sympathetic to both sides, focuses more on how both sides perceive the treatment of the Britons by the Romans, the truth is hidden somewhere in between. Calculus’ speech gives an interesting insight into the resentment of both the Romans and the turncoat Britons.
