On the Life and Character of Julius Agricola, also called The Life and Death of Julius Agricola or just "The Agricola", is a biography of Gnaeus Julius Agricola. This work was written by his son-in-law, Publius Cornelius Tacitus, in 98 AC.
In addition to describing Agricola's life, it also describes the geography and society of Ancient Britain and criticizes the flaws that Tacitus saw in Roman Society.
An 1876 translation can be found here
.
On the Life and Character of Julius Agricola contains examples of:
- Disappeared Dad: Agricola's father, Julius Graecinus, was executed by Caligula for refusing to impeach Marcus Silanus.
- Doting Parent: Agricola's mother, Julia Procilla, is described as being this to him.
- Heroic Lineage: Both of Agricola's grandfathers were Imperial Procurators and his father was a Senator.
- Incorruptible Pure Pureness: How Agricola is described throughout the story.
- Stock Shout-Outs: The part of this book most people are familiar with is the much repeated quote by Calgacus:
Calgacus: To plunder, to slaughter, and to steal: these they falsely name Empire, they make a wasteland and call it peace.
- The Mentor: Suetonius Paulinus is described as being this to Agricola during his tenure as an officer in Britain.
- The Revolution Will Not Be Civilized: Though Boudica is never named in this work, her rebellion is alluded to as "colonies burnt".
- You Killed My Father: During the year of four Emperors, Emperor Otho's fleet ravaged Intemelii and Agricola's mother was among the murdered. Agricola immediately joined Otho's enemy, Vespasian.
