Essay on Tacitus The Agricola and The Germania - 903 Words

Imperial Rome, during the first century A.D. was expanding its boundaries by adding new territories. They expanded into northern Europe and Britain and conquered or attempted to conquer various types of people. Based on my reading of Tacitus The Agricola and The Germania, I have knowledge of the life and customs of the Britons, subject of the Agricola, and the Germans, subject of the Germania. This of course being the Romans, and more specifically Tacitus, observation and view of these groups of people. The customs of the Britons differed from that of the Romans. Britain was the largest of the islands known to the Romans, who thought of Britons as barbarians. The physical characteristics of the Britons varied, suggesting that they†¦show more content†¦The Romans viewed the Britons as spiritless cowards because instead of dying for their cause and families- wives and children at home, they would run away and therefore be captured in stead of dying for the cause. The customs o f the Germans also differed from those of the Romans. Germany contained various people and was thought of by Tacitus as indigenous with little foreign blood. Their physical characteristics are all the same, they cannot endure hard work and tiring chores as the Romans can. Their only form of wealth was in numbered livestock, because their lands didnt have a lot of silver or gold. But after being exposed to the Romans, they began to value gold and silver. Unlike the weapons of swords and lances, the Germans use spears with short and narrow blades, javelins and shields. They dont train their horses like the Romans, for speed. Their strength is in their infantry, not their cavalry. Their system of power and authority is quite different. For instance, the power of the kings is not absolute, the commanders lead by example not authority, and the priests inflict punishments. The chiefs fight for victory on the battlefield, and the followers fight for their chiefs not themselves. Tacitus vie ws the Germans as having a need for violence. The women in Germania stay close their men. The men go to their mothers and wives to be treated, encouraged and supplied with food. TheShow MoreRelatedAgricola and Germania Essay1604 Words   |  7 PagesKali Ryan Agricola and Germania Dr.Newsome October 2, 2012 Agricola and Germania The Agricola and Germani is a novel that serves two purposes: The Agricola is a eulogy praising Tacituss father-in-law, and commander of Britian, Agricola. The Germania is an ethnography on German people. Both stories are told through the eyes of Tacitus as he indirectly criticizes Roman politics and society. 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