Agricola and Germania

Introduction

Both of these short works were written in AD 98. The Agricola is Tacitus' life of his father-in-law, who as governor of Britain subdued southern Scotland but fell under the suspicion of the tyrant Domitian and died in neglect. Through the British chieftain Calgacus it denounces Roman conquest, in the famous words 'They make a desert and call it peace.' The Germania describes the geography, customs and institutions of the tribes east of the Rhine, setting their simple 'barbarian' virtues against Roman luxury; it is the most important document on the ancient Germans.