1. Gnaeus Iulius Agricola
Grace Burns

2. Timeline
Born June 13, 40 A.D.
Father died for political views when Agricola was a young boy
Mother was wealthy and influential in his life
Relationship with Domitian
Died August 23, 93 A.D.

3. Career First served under Suetonius Paulinus in Britain
Returns under Petillius Cerialis
Rewarded with the governorship of Aquitania
Held a consulship
Governor of Britain for seven years
Subjugation of Wales, ventures into the North
Recalled to Rome

4. Literary Portrayal
Agricola: roughly unfinished or intentionally crafted?
Impossibly optimistic portrayal?
Historical validity?

5. For Discussion
Highly disputed views on the Agricola, and many little resolution.
Based on the reading thus far, consider the following questions:
Is Tacitus a fully developed writer, or is the work ‘unpolished’?
Is the portrayal of Agricola believable?
Given Tacitus’ relationship to Agricola, can the work be trusted as historically relevant?

6. For Further Reading
Dorey, T.A. “Agricola and Domitian.” Greece & Rome 7, no. 1 (1960):
Richmond, I.A. “Gnaevs Iviuvs Agricola.” The Journal of Roman Studies 34, parts 1 and 2 (1944):
Turner, A.J. “Approaches to Tacitus’ ‘Agricola’.” Latomus 56 (1997):
Woodhead, A.J. “Tacitus and Agricola.” Phoenix 2, no. 2 (1948):