Perspective

As an author, Tacitus has strengths as well as weaknesses that are apparent within the text. Tacitus does have a strong personal relationship with Agricola, and as such, has a unique understanding of the man behind the military achievements. He is able to give details other writers may not be as fortunate to know, and therefore presents a more cohesive description and biography. On the other hand, this personal relationship also has a tendency to bias some of Tacitus' views. Even minor achievements become massive in the mind of Tacitus, and his focus remains only on glorifying his beloved father-in-law. This tight focus, along with a lack of military and geographical information, makes for incomplete details regarding the units Agricola controlled, and areas Agricola conquered, or even served within. The true attraction of the book lies in the admiration of Agricola by Tacitus, and in the strong idealistic...