Primary Source Critique Tacitus: "Life of Cnaeus Julius Agricola"

Unlike our own period of time, the ancient Romans experienced very little angst about the prospect of colonizing a geographically and ethnically distinct people for the enrichment of their own country. As is evident in Tacitus' "Life of Cnaeus Julius Agricola," the British resistance to Roman colonization is viewed as evidence of the British people's barbarity, not praiseworthy British fortitude against foreign domination. However, the Roman Tacitus also used the example of Britain not simply to praise his father-in-law Cnaeus Julius Agricola, but also to praise what he considered the true Roman values of freedom, austerity and military valor, in contrast to licentiousness and laziness, which he felt, was characteristic of contemporary Roman morality. This primary source text thus is less a fair portrayal of Britain of the era as it is an introduction to what Romans of Tacitus' class considered important -- the former Republican glory, colonization and military fortification, and familial honor.

Interestingly enough, at the beginning of Chapter 3 of this "Life," Tacitus proudly valorizes Roman freedom. He sees no evident contradiction between using that freedom to subjugate other peoples for Roman enrichment. He looks back with fondness at the heady days of the Roman Republic in his salutation to the reader in his first two chapters, noting that he shall not regret that he has told, though in language unskillful and unadorned, the story of Roman past servitude to tyranny, that has now resulted in Rome's present happiness, glory, and relative liberty. To his credit as an historian, Tacitus...

Yet, even while stressing the glory of Roman freedom, the Roman historian notes the savageness and barbarity of the Britain's efforts to ensure their own freedom. Tacitus portrays a contrast -- in comparison to Agricola's moderation, Britain's populace was always excited in a state of revolt. They had, even at this early date, massacred some of the veteran, Roman occupying society. This experience, notes Tacitus, spurred Agricola to pursue military valor, even after Britain had been subdued. Why valor in Roman hearts in military action is praiseworthy and not amongst the British is not answered.
Later, in Chapter 8, after speaking of Nero's excesses and the difficulties his father-in-law had experienced financially in the city of Rome, Tacitus again lambastes the British people who were undergoing if not worse oppression at the hands of colonizing Romans. He notes that Britain was then under Vettius Bolanus, and criticizes this leader for governing more mildly than he should have given the turbulent, that is, revolting nature of the British province. The harsher Petilius Cerialis who succeeded Agricola is given greater praise, for subduing Britain and giving Agricola's warlike merits more room for display, Cerialis often put Agricola in command of part of the army. Agricola is called moderate and obedient to…