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Agricola
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Symbols & Motifs
The Value of Moderation
A recurring motif in Tacitus is the value of moderation. Whether at home or abroad, excess is corrosive, promoting fear and secrecy, while moderation inspires loyalty and admiration.
Within Rome, Domitian’s repressions, according to Tacitus, created a corrosive climate, as evidenced from the burning of eulogies written for Paetus Thrasea and Priscus Helvidius (54). Paetus Thrasea, a senator under Claudius and Nero, had criticized the Senate for cowing to Nero and eventually committed suicide after he was charged with treason. Priscus Helvidius, a strenuous critic of Vespasian, was executed. Arulenus Rusticus penned a tribute for Paetus Thrasea and Herennius Senecio for Priscus Helvidius. As a result, both men were tried for and found guilty of treason and killed, their books subsequently burned. Tacitus suggests this is an example of how the empire has devolved into “the depths of slavery, robbed by informers even of the interchange of speech” (55). In the grip of an emperor’s controlling mania, fear reigns, and vices flourish. In the case of Domitian, his jealousy prevents him from acting in the empire’s best interests, according to Tacitus. Domitian passes over Agricola for future posts because he envied Agricola’s success.
In contrast to Domitian, Agricola practiced moderation. He knew when to be harsh (in battle) and when to be gentle (after victory has been secured). He was not swayed by personal sentiment to select favorites for staff positions but chose those who he believed would best serve their posts. Choosing men who he trusted and who were well-suited to their positions meant he rarely needed to dole out punishments, since the men he chose “would not transgress” (65). Agricola also rooted out corruption and showed mercy to promote peace. Perhaps most significantly, Agricola was modest about his successes. He did not boast about or seek favor because of them. Instead, he accepted the vagaries of the regime, continuing to serve as much as he was able, even when he was, according to Tacitus, ill-used by Domitian.
Anti-tyranny Sentiments
Tyranny represents a lack of moderation, as it seeks to colonize the minds of its citizens, suffocate their capacity for free thought and their ability to criticize the emperor, and erodes citizens’ morality. Through his damning portrait of Domitian, Tacitus expresses strong anti-tyranny sentiments. Again Domitian and Agricola play foils. Tacitus harshly critiques Domitian’s insistence on being the center of Roman citizenry’s consciousness, as expressed in the opening chapters of “Agricola,” and the treason trials of 93. Throughout the essay, Tacitus praises Agricola for his ability to lead by example. Whether he is standing at the head of his troops before battle, instituting discipline at home or among his troops, or selecting staff based on merit rather than sycophancy, Agricola provides a model of leadership that respects those under his command. He did not attempt to control his staff but called out the best in them through his own virtuous example.
Physical Likenesses (Statues or Busts)
At the conclusion of “Agricola,” Tacitus contemplates the nature of a lasting memorial. Regarding Agricola, Tacitus remarks that he “would not ban completely likenesses in marble or bronze,” meaning statues and/or busts (81). Statues and busts were standard means of memorializing people of renown in Graeco-Roman antiquity. For Tacitus, however, physical likenesses represent what is “feeble and perishable,” which is the physical characteristics of the individual being memorialized (82). Tacitus seeks to capture the eternal, which is “the essence of the soul” (82). A physical likeness cannot express the qualities that make him admirable. By telling Agricola’s story, Tacitus preserves his memory for posterity, ensuring that his essence is not lost.
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