Calgacus: the Man, the Myth, the Legend Gwen Steuart 2/9/17

Background Chieftan of the Caledonian tribe “the swordsman” – Celtic origins Rarely mentioned (Tacitus) Known for his “valor and nobility,” (Tac. Ag. 29) His name “at least sounds authentic,” (Henig 66) “possibly a Tacitean invention,” (Braund 8) Only mentioned in one section of Tacitus, and that is when he is a mouthpiece for Tacitus’ dreamt-up speech No information is given of him much before the battle recounted in Agricola, or after it. No lineage is given, nor marital status, etc. He is only known for his “valor and nobility,” (Tac. Ag. 29) and nothing else.

Caledonians Tribe in Northern Britain “their red-gold hair and massive limbs proclaim German origin,” (Tac. Ag. 11) “the men who last year attacked one legion like thieves in the night… they are the greatest runaways of all the Britons and that is why they have survived so long,” (Tac. Ag. 34) While Calgacus may not have existed, his tribe, the Caledonians did. Northern Britain and modern–day Scotland (1) Aside from this possibly being the truth, another reason why Tacitus could have proclaimed them as cowards is that they are so far removed from things that there hasn’t been an issue with the Romans even making it that far north. It may seem like they are running away, but I would argue that the Romans haven’t even gotten to them. Even Calgacus says: “our very remoteness in a land known only to rumor has protected us up until this day,” (Tac. Ag. 30)

Battle of Mons Graupius 83-84 CE Agricola leads Roman forces against the Caledonians Heavy losses for the Caledonians (*10,000 men) v. Romans (*360 men) Agricola “held Britain,” (Tac. Agr. 39) Agricola’s win “marked the culmination… of the enture process of conquest since 43,” (Mattingly 119) What Calgacus is notably famous for is his speech for his troops and his resistance against Agricola at Mons Graupius. Death toll estimated from Tacitus Unclear on exact dates because scholars are still debating the years of Agricola’s governorship (saying now that it was 77-83, not 78-84) Some scholars would argue that the Caledonians lost because of Calgacus’ irrtaional barbarian passion… his immedaite opponenet is... The just and rational Agriola,” (Braund 9) Tacitus is exuberant in his joy After this battle, Rome had the opportunity to impose a military stronghold on the Highlands. But due to other military activity in Britain troops had to be drawn away from this area, so fighting continued sporadically for a period of time agterwards.

Battle Speeches Calgacus – passionate, emotional, personal “Nature has willed it that each man should love best his children and his own kin. These are now being torn away by cronscription to be slaves in another land.” (Tac. Ag. 31) “Abandon then, any hope of mercy, take courage at last,” (Tac. Ag. 31) Agricola – rational, prudent “Just think back on your own battle-honors, simply question your own eyes,” (Tac. Ag. 34)

Calgacus: Fictional Leader? Very little information about him “Much of what we are told of the British leader Calgacus looks like stereotypical invention,” (Mattingly 119) only mentioned in tacitus, and even with that, there is no mention of him after the reproduced speech  Was he taken as a hostage? Killed? Did he flee? Kill himself? No lineage

Discussion Question If Calgacus was a real person, why would Tacitus include so little about him in his work? And if he was not, in fact, a real person, why would Tacitus include him at all?

Works Cited Braund, David. Ruling Roman Britain: Kings, Queens, Governors and Emperors from Julius Caesar to Agricola. London: Routledge, 1996. Print. Henig, Martin. The Heirs of King Verica: Culture & Politics in Roman Britain. Stroud, Gloucestershire: Tempus, 2002. Print. Mattingly, David. J. An Imperial Possession: Britain in the Roman Empire. London: Penguin, 2007. Print. Tacitus, Agricola and Germany (A. Birley, tr.), Oxford, 2009