The Agricola; and the Germania; Themes

The Agricola; and the Germania; Themes

Roman Expansion

At the time of both Agricola and Germania, the Roman Empire was expanding at an alarming rate. According to Tacitus, the people of Rome firmly believed it was their destiny to rule the world, and their place to be at the center of all things, regardless of the freedoms of others they may have trampled upon. The entire fame of Agricola was based on his expansion of Rome throughout Britain, Wales, Caledonia, and beyond. Several Emperors had toyed with the idea of expanding Rome into Germany as well. It was this desire, however, that Tacitus attempted to discourage through his writing of Germania. Whereas Agricola discussed the relative ease of expanding into Britain because of the temperament of the British rebels, Tacitus noted a far different personality within the Germans, and warned that these people would be far more difficult to overcome. While the military generals and Emperors of Rome...
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