The Germany and the Agricola of Tacitus
every liberal art, that nothing generous or honorable might remain. We
gave, indeed, a consummate proof of our patience; and as remote ages saw
the very utmost degree of liberty, so we, deprived by inquisitions of
all the intercourse of conversation, experienced the utmost of slavery.
With language we should have lost memory itself, had it been as much in
our power to forget, as to be silent.
3. Now our spirits begin to revive. But although at the first dawning
of this happy period, [5] the emperor Nerva united two things before
incompatible, monarchy and liberty; and Trajan is now daily augmenting
the felicity of the empire; and the public security [6] has not only
assumed hopes and wishes, but has seen those wishes arise to confidence
and stability; yet, from the nature of human infirmity, remedies are
more tardy in their operation than diseases; and, as bodies slowly
increase, but quickly perish, so it is more easy to suppress industry
and genius, than to recall them. For indolence itself acquires a charm;
and sloth, however odious at first, becomes at length engaging. During
the space of fifteen years, [7] a large portion of human life, how great
a number have fallen by casual events, and, as was the fate of all the
most distinguished, by the cruelty of the prince; whilst we, the few
survivors, not of others alone, but, if I may be allowed the expression,
of ourselves, find a void of so many years in our lives, which has
silently brought us from youth to maturity, from mature age to the
very verge of life! Still, however, I shall not regret having composed,
though in rude and artless language, a memorial of past servitude, and a
testimony of present blessings. [8]
The present work, in the meantime, which is dedicated to the honor of my
father-in-law, may be thought to merit approbation, or at least excuse,
from the piety of the intention.
4. CNAEUS JULIUS AGRICOLA was born at the ancient and illustrious colony
of Forumjulii. [9] Both his grandfathers were imperial procurators, [10]
an office which confers the rank of equestrian nobility. His father,
Julius Graecinus, [11] of the senatorian order, was famous for the study
of eloquence and philosophy; and by these accomplishments he drew on
himself the displeasure of Caius Caesar; [12] for, being commanded to
undertake the accusation of Marcus Silanus, [13]--on his refusal, he
was put to death. His mother was Julia Procilla, a lady of exemplary
chastity. Educated with tenderness in her bosom, [14] he passed his
childhood and youth in the attainment of every liberal art. He was
preserved from the allurements of vice, not only by a naturally good
disposition, but by being sent very early to pursue his studies at
Massilia; [15] a place where Grecian politeness and provincial frugality
are happily united. I remember he was used to relate, that in his
early youth he should have engaged with more ardor in philosophical
speculation than was suitable to a Roman and a senator, had not the
prudence of his mother restrained the warmth and vehemence of his
disposition: for his lofty and upright spirit, inflamed by the charms of
glory and exalted reputation, led him to the pursuit with more eagerness
than discretion. Reason and riper years tempered his warmth; and
from the study of wisdom, he retained what is most difficult to
compass,--moderation.
5. He learned the rudiments of war in Britain, under Suetonius
Paullinus, an active and prudent commander, who chose him for his tent
companion, in order to form an estimate of his merit. [16] Nor did
Agricola, like many young men, who convert military service into wanton
pastime, avail himself licentiously or slothfully of his tribunitial
title, or his inexperience, to spend his time in pleasures and absences
from duty; but he employed himself in gaining a knowledge of
the country, making himself known to the army, learning from the
experienced, and imitating the best; neither pressing to be employed
through vainglory, nor declining it through timidity; and performing
his duty with equal solicitude and spirit. At no other time in truth was
Britain more agitated or in a state of greater uncertainty. Our veterans
slaughtered, our colonies burnt, [17] our armies cut off, [18]--we were
then contending for safety, afterwards for victory. During this period,
although all things were transacted under the conduct and direction of
another, and the stress of the whole, as well as the glory of recovering
the province, fell to the general's share, yet they imparted to the
young Agricola skill, experience, and incentives; and the passion for
military glory entered his soul; a passion ungrateful to the times, [19]
in which eminence was unfavorably construed, and a great reputation was
no less dangerous than a bad one.
6. Departing thence to undertake the offices of magistracy in Rome, he
married Domitia Decidiana, a lady of illustrious descent, from which
connection he derived credit and support in his pursuit of greater
things. They lived together in admirable harmony and mutual affection;
each giving the preference to the other; a conduct equally laudable in
both, except that a greater degree of praise is due to a good wife,
in proportion as a bad one deserves the greater censure. The lot of
quaestorship [20] gave him Asia for his province, and the proconsul
Salvius Titianus [21] for his superior; by neither of which
circumstances was he corrupted, although the province was wealthy and
open to plunder, and the proconsul, from his rapacious disposition,
would readily have agreed to a mutual concealment of guilt. His family
was there increased by the birth of a daughter, who was both the support
of his house, and his consolation; for he lost an elder-born son in
infancy. The interval between his serving the offices of quaestor and
tribune of the people, and even the year of the latter magistracy, he
passed in repose and inactivity; well knowing the temper of the times
under Nero, in which indolence was wisdom. He maintained the same tenor
of conduct when praetor; for the judiciary part of the office did not
fall to his share. [22] In the exhibition of public games, and the idle
trappings of dignity, he consulted propriety and the measure of his
fortune; by no means approaching to extravagance, yet inclining rather
to a popular course. When he was afterwards appointed by Galba to manage
an inquest concerning the offerings which had been presented to the
temples, by his strict attention and diligence he preserved the state
from any further sacrilege than what it had suffered from Nero. [23]
7. The following year [24] inflicted a severe wound on his peace
of mind, and his domestic concerns. The fleet of Otho, roving in
a disorderly manner on the coast, [25] made a hostile descent on
Intemelii, [26] a part of Liguria, in which the mother of Agricola was
murdered at her own estate, her lands were ravaged, and a great part
of her effects, which had invited the assassins, was carried off. As
Agricola upon this event was hastening to perform the duties of filial
piety, he was overtaken by the news of Vespasian's aspiring to the
empire, [27] and immediately went over to his party. The first acts
of power, and the government of the city, were entrusted to Mucianus;
Domitian being at that time very young, and taking no other privilege
from his father's elevation than that of indulging his licentious
tastes. Mucianus, having approved the vigor and fidelity of Agricola
in the service of raising levies, gave him the command of the twentieth
legion, [28] which had appeared backward in taking the oaths, as soon as
he had heard the seditious practices of his commander. [29] This legion
had been unmanageable and formidable even to the consular lieutenants;
[30] and its late commander, of praetorian rank, had not sufficient
authority to keep it in obedience; though it was uncertain whether from
his own disposition, or that of his soldiers. Agricola was therefore
appointed as his successor and avenger; but, with an uncommon degree
of moderation, he chose rather to have it appear that he had found the
legion obedient, than that he had made it so.
8. Vettius Bolanus was at that time governor of Britain, and ruled with
a milder sway than was suitable to so turbulent a province. Under his
administration, Agricola, accustomed to obey, and taught to consult
utility as well as glory, tempered his ardor, and restrained his
enterprising spirit. His virtues had soon a larger field for their
display, from the appointment of Petilius Cerealis, [31] a man of
consular dignity, to the government. At first he only shared the
fatigues and dangers of his general; but was presently allowed to
partake of his glory. Cerealis frequently entrusted him with part of his
army as a trial of his abilities; and from the event sometimes enlarged
his command. On these occasions, Agricola was never ostentatious
in assuming to himself the merit of his exploits; but always, as a
subordinate officer, gave the honor of his good fortune to his superior.
Thus, by his spirit in executing orders, and his modesty in reporting
his success, he avoided envy, yet did not fail of acquiring reputation.
9. On his return from commanding the legion he was raised by Vespasian
to the patrician order, and then invested with the government of
Aquitania, [32] a distinguished promotion, both in respect to the office
itself, and the hopes of the consulate to which it destined him. It is a
common supposition that military men, habituated to the unscrupulous and
summary processes of camps, where things are carried with a strong hand,
are deficient in the address and subtlety of genius requisite in civil
jurisdiction. Agricola, however, by his natural prudence, was enabled to
act with facility and precision even among civilians. He distinguished
the hours of business from those of relaxation. When the court or
tribunal demanded his presence, he was grave, intent, awful, yet
generally inclined to lenity. When the duties of his office were
over, the man of power was instantly laid aside. Nothing of sternness,
arrogance, or rapaciousness appeared; and, what was a singular felicity,
his affability did not impair his authority, nor his severity render him
less beloved. To mention integrity and freedom from corruption in such
a man, would be an affront to his virtues. He did not even court
reputation, an object to which men of worth frequently sacrifice,
by ostentation or artifice: equally avoiding competition with, his
colleagues, [33] and contention with the procurators. To overcome in
such a contest he thought inglorious; and to be put down, a disgrace.
Somewhat less than three years were spent in this office, when he was
recalled to the immediate prospect of the consulate; while at the same
time a popular opinion prevailed that the government of Britain would be
conferred upon him; an opinion not founded upon any suggestions of his
own, but upon his being thought equal to the station. Common fame does
not always err, sometimes it even directs a choice. When consul, [34]
he contracted his daughter, a lady already of the happiest promise,
to myself, then a very young man; and after his office was expired
I received her in marriage. He was immediately appointed governor of
Britain, and the pontificate [35] was added to his other dignities.
10. The situation and inhabitants of Britain have been described by many
writers; [36] and I shall not add to the number with the view of vying
with them in accuracy and ingenuity, but because it was first thoroughly
subdued in the period of the present history. Those things which, while
yet unascertained, they embellished with their eloquence, shall here be
related with a faithful adherence to known facts. Britain, the largest