The Agricola and The Germania (Penguin Classics) | 
 enlarge | Author: Tacitus
Creators: S. A. Handford, H. Mattingly
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Category: Book
List Price: $14.00
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Rating:  17 reviews
Sales Rank: 23926
Media: Paperback
Pages: 176
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5 x 0.6
ISBN: 0140442413
Dewey Decimal Number: 936
EAN: 9780140442410
ASIN: 0140442413
Publication Date: February 28, 1971
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| Customer Reviews: Read 12 more reviews...
 The Agricola and the Germania August 10, 2008
K. Murphy (The thriving metropolis of Masury, OH)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Tacitus' Agricola and Germania are among the two most-cited sources on Roman Britain and on the ancient Germans, respectively, and anyone with an interest in the Classical World should have a copy of this book.
The Agricola is our primary source on Cnaeus Julius Agricola-governor of Roman Britain in the late 1st Century AD who is known to history primarily for the defeat he inflicted on the Caledonians at Mons Graupius in AD 83, and for his planned conquest of Ireland. Reading Tacitus' account, however, we find that his legacy in his own times was more for bringing justice to southern Britain, where previous Roman governors had abused their authority and driven the tribes to revolt.
I can't imagine that we can take everything in the Agricola word-for-word, as Tacitus' account is naturally biased-Agricola was his father-in-law, and Tacitus does not speak a single negative word-not even the slightest criticism of a minor feature-of him.
The Germania is also biased in that Tacitus is portraying these wild tribes as `noble savages'-claiming they never lied or indulged in improper sexuality, and had no love for money or fine clothing; in all, the Germania is as much an attack on the decadence of the Romans of Tacitus' generation as it is an account of the peoples of Germany in the 1st Century.
After giving an at times rather humorous account of Germanic culture and customs, Tacitus looks at all the major tribes and their unique features-such as the bizarre hairdos of the Suebi, the strange religious rites of the tribes worshipping the Goddess Nerthus, and the customs of the Harii, who painted themselves black and only fought battles at night.
Overall, this is a must read for a student of the Classical, especially Roman world, showing much about the culture and worldview of both the Romans and their Germanic contemporaries, and how these were perceived by a fairly typical upper-class Roman writer.
Two Important Works Together June 5, 2008
Christopher R Travers (Chelan, WA)
I enjoyed this translation greatly. The translations are easy to read in Modern English, are not pedestrian, and keep the reader's attention as no doubt the author was hoping to do when he wrote the original in Latin.
The first part, Agricola, is an account of Tacitus's father-in-law's life and political struggles. It shows the timeless tensions between great people and state powers, with a uniquely Roman outlook. I couldn't help thinking that this would make a great movie.
the second part, Germania, is an account of the Germanic realms in the time of Tacitus. While some parts of Tacitus's account have been impeached in modern times, it still represents an extremely important work relating to Germanic studies. Furthermore, when combined with more recent developments in the study of orality, a new dimension to the work opens up.
I would highly recommend this work.
Excellent December 12, 2006
Matthew Rozsa (Washington, DC)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Tacitus was truly a master historian, and both of these books breathe colorful, exciting life into a by-gone era. "The Agricola" is an entertaining (often gripping) biography of a great Roman general, one that is in turns powerful, exciting, inspiring (read Calgacus's speech to those troops making a last stand against the Roman army), and finally heartbreaking (the conclusion when Tacitus pays tribute to the father-in-law he so clearly loved). "The Germania", on the other hand, is more of an anthropological survey cum social commentary; even while Tacitus provides contemporary readers with a fascinating look into the cultures of ancient Germanic tribes, he simultaneously levies some of the most poignant criticisms ever penned about a civilization in decline. A truly great book.
 A look into an ancient world... July 4, 2006
Kelley Heckart (Lake Havasu, AZ)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book includes the writings of the ancient Roman writer, Tacitus, as he follows the campaigns of Agricola into Anglesey and northern Scotland. He also follows closely the campaigns into Germania, a country as untamed as Scotland.
The reader is given a vivid look into an ancient world, but through the eyes of the conqueror and not the conquered. Still, this is a masterpiece of information about a lost time. The translation was done very well by Harold Mattingly and his introduction sheds light on Tacitus' life and literary career, the governorship of Agricola and Rome's political backgroud in an everchanging empire. The two maps of Roman Britain and Germania were an added surprise.
I was a little disappointed that Tacitus did not give more descriptions on the native tribes of Scotland in The Agricola. For this reason, I felt that The Germania stood out much more. His vivid descriptions of the German tribes and their religious beliefs was wonderful to read.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Roman history and/or the native tribes of Scotland and Germania.
Two classics of one of the greatest Roman historians December 23, 2005
Vinay Varma (India)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This edition brings Tacitus' biography of Agricola (his father-in-law) who consolidated Roman rule in Britain. It also contains his geographical, historical and anthropological survey of the ancient Germanic tribes.
An introduction by revered British archaeologist Harold Mattingly provides an useful overview of Roman history and a balanced evaluation of the relevance of these works.
Agricola is interesting for its description of battle strategies used to consolidate Britain, especially the final one, although it is sketchy, eulogistic and a little simplistic.
Germania is more interesting than Agricola and provides rich insights into the customs of various Germanic tribes during first century AD. It particularly brings out the strengths and weaknesses of these tribes from military point of view very well and is prophetic in its anxiety about the power of these ancient people (Rome was repeatedly sacked by German tribes after Tacitus' death).
The best part is that these works are so small (running into 40/50 pages each) and yet give such a good overview of history that they make effortless reading (which is further eased by a plain writing style - free of jargon).
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