Agricola And The Germania, The

Description

"The Agricola" is both a portrait of Julius Agricola (most famous governor of Roman Britain and Tacitus' well-loved and respected father-in-law) and the first detailed account of Britain. It offers descriptions of the geography, climate and peoples of the country and a succinct account of the early Roman occupation, nearly fatally undermined by Boudicca's revolt in AD 61, but consolidated by campaigns that took Agricola as far as Anglesey and northern Scotland. In "The Germania" Tacitus examines the life and customs of the war-like German tribes, often comparing their "barbarian" behaviour favourably with the decadence and corruption of Imperial Rome.

Author description

Tacitus was born c.56AD. Known in Rome for his impressive oratory, he maintained a political career as a sentor under Vespasian, Titus and Domitian. H. Mattingley (1884-1964) is best known for his study of Roman coinage at the British Museum. S.A. Handford published several books on classical subjects, and translated Aesop's Fables for the Penguin Classics.