Tacitus agricola and germania summary. Tacitus Germania Summary 2022-10-27

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Tacitus was a Roman historian who wrote two important works, "Agricola" and "Germania," in the 1st century AD. "Agricola" is a biography of Tacitus' father-in-law, Gnaeus Julius Agricola, who was a successful Roman general and governor of Britain. "Germania," on the other hand, is a study of the Germanic tribes who lived in what is now modern-day Germany, Austria, and parts of Eastern Europe.

In "Agricola," Tacitus portrays Agricola as a model Roman statesman and military leader. He describes how Agricola successfully conquered and pacified the tribes in Britain, bringing Roman civilization to the region. Tacitus also praises Agricola for his fair and just treatment of the native Britons, and for his efforts to assimilate them into Roman culture.

"Germania," on the other hand, is a more objective work. Tacitus describes the various Germanic tribes and their customs, including their social and political organization, religious practices, and way of life. He also compares the Germans favorably to the Romans, praising their simplicity, honesty, and love of freedom.

Overall, Tacitus' works are important sources of information about the Roman Empire and its interactions with the peoples of Europe. "Agricola" provides a unique perspective on the Roman conquest of Britain, while "Germania" offers valuable insights into the culture and society of the Germanic tribes. Both works continue to be studied and admired by historians and classical scholars to this day.

Agricola and Germania Section Summaries

tacitus agricola and germania summary

For they are also familiar with the practice of consulting the notes and flight of birds. Through the writing by Tacitus, we come across the German culture where the residents are simply not into work that entails hard work and much torture from thirst and hunger. These descendants of modern Germans proved peculiar in that they adopted many qualities typical of barbaric cultures, yet they simultaneously practiced virtues more befitting of advanced civilizations, values more ethical than even the Roman empire of the time. Barbarian tribes were portrayed under anachronistic names. This leads to a discussion on kingship in Germania in general 144-6. Such is their stubborn persistency in a bad practice; they themselves call it honor. Every person has a lot of land and open space.


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The Agricola; and the Germania; Summary & Study Guide

tacitus agricola and germania summary

A large portion of Ancient Rome flares during the Emperor Nero 's reign. The non-Romans description of events as seen in their ways of life provides us with a sense of direction where we tend to admire their strong personal attachments to family and it prompts us to take our families seriously, among many other things. The climate of Germany suited the warriors well. They also carry with them into battle certain figures and images taken from their sacred groves. To abandon your shield is the basest of crimes; nor may a man thus disgraced be present at the sacred rites, or enter their council; many, indeed, after escaping from battle, have ended their infamy with the halter.

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Book Review of Agricola and Germania (Penguin Classics) by Tacitus

tacitus agricola and germania summary

Tacitus explains that he believes the Germans to be indigenous to the area, simply because the area is difficult to access. These arms are what the " It is no shame to be seen among a chief's followers. Kept at the public expense, in these same woods and groves, are white horses, pure from the taint of earthly labor; these are yoked to a sacred car, and accompanied by the priest and the king, or chief of the tribe, who note their neighings and snortings. And first of all occurs the nation of the Chaucians: who though they begin immediately at the confines of the Frisians, and occupy part of the shore, extend so far as to border upon all the several people whom I have already recounted; till at last, by a Circuit, they reach quite to the boundaries of the Chatti. Over time the people of Britain be. . Unlike many commentaries, at the top of the page there is no indication of what part of the text is under discussion.

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Free Essay: Summary of Tacitus: Germania

tacitus agricola and germania summary

Tacitus opines that Vettius Bolanus rules wi. They till fresh fields every year, and they have still more land than enough; with the richness and extent of their soil, they do not laboriously exert themselves in planting orchards, enclosing meadows and watering gardens. Likewise in Agricola, family ties were respected, adultery was not practiced and if anyone was found guilty especially women, they were isolated, put in exile camps, and lost their respect never to regain it again. The final word on decisions regarding the tribe rested with the chief, who would consult with the tribe for its decision on smaller matters, although only after the chief had abdicated his right to make the final decision Tacitus, Germania. Their cattle are very valuable to them, because they are the only riches of the people.


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Germania by Tacitus

tacitus agricola and germania summary

Feasts and entertainments, which, though inelegant, are plentifully furnished, are their only pay. They are into simpler commodities, which he must find very respectable. Their reproductive energy is inexhaustible; the Northern climate of their native land, with its long winter nights favors their fantastic urge to procreate. Perhaps this work more than other product of Greco-Roman antiquity has a fascinating history of reception, for the history of reading and interpreting and misinterpreting this text from mediaeval times onwards generates much interest. Upon them as upon aliens their tribute is imposed, partly by the Sarmatians, partly by the Quadians. She must live and die with the feeling that she is receiving what she must hand down to her children neither tarnished nor depreciated, what future daughters-in-law may receive, and may be so passed on to her grandchildren.

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The Agricola; and the Germania;

tacitus agricola and germania summary

They care but little to possess or use them. The Ubians are ashamed of their original; though they have a particular honor to boast, that of having merited an establishment as a Roman colony, and still delight to be called Agrippinensians, after the name of their founder: they indeed formerly came from beyond the Rhine, and, for the many proofs of their fidelity, were settled upon the very bank of the river; not to be there confined or guarded themselves, but to guard and defend that boundary against the rest of the Germans. We learn how the British used to lose war simply because of their poor strategy and inability to cooperate, which in the latter days to come; the British used the same concept of divide and rule to extend their territorial control Tacitus 78. The Agricola and The Germania. It is not, however, usual for anyone to wear arms till the state has recognized his power to use them. Germania Further Discussion of the Germanic Tribes Tacitus continues to list different Germanic groups and express his understanding of their cultures, values, and histori.

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Tacitus' The Agricola and The Germania

tacitus agricola and germania summary

According to Tacitus, German men and women dress alike and share responsibility and power in the household. . And of all their superstition, this is the drift and tendency; that from this place the nation drew their original, that here God, the supreme Governor of the world, resides, and that all things else whatsoever are subject to him and bound to obey him. The Agricola and The Germania are two very different stories, but both have similar undertones. The Germani in these later works are not ignored in the commentary, however: at several key points in his discussion of the Ger.

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Tacitus: Germania (with an introduction and commentary)

tacitus agricola and germania summary

Agricola Introduction and Agricola's Early Life Tacitus argues that people in his time are generally "incurious" but they still can appreciate the long-standing traditi. They like the old and well known money, coins milled, or showing a two-horse chariot. The border population, however, value gold and silver for their commercial utility, and are familiar with, and show preference for, some of The tribes of the interior use the simpler and more ancient practice of the barter of commodities. The country is named after the first people to find the area, the Germani. Chapter X Auguries and Method of Divination.


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