The Germany and the Agricola of TacitusTacitus, Cornelius
History
The Germany and the Agricola of Tacitus
Tacitus, Cornelius
Agricola, Gnaeus Julius, 40-93; Germanic peoples -- Early works to 1800; Statesmen -- Rome -- Biography -- Early works to 1800
20. By suppressing these abuses in the first year of his administration,
he established a favorable idea of peace, which, through the negligence
or oppression of his predecessors, had been no less dreaded than war.
At the return of summer [92] he assembled his army. On their march, he
commended the regular and orderly, and restrained the stragglers; he
marked out the encampments, [93] and explored in person the estuaries
and forests. At the same time he perpetually harassed the enemy by
sudden incursions; and, after sufficiently alarming them, by an interval
of forbearance, he held to their view the allurements of peace. By
this management, many states, which till that time had asserted their
independence, were now induced to lay aside their animosity, and to
deliver hostages. These districts were surrounded with castles and
forts, disposed with so much attention and judgment, that no part of
Britain, hitherto new to the Roman arms, escaped unmolested.
21. The succeeding winter was employed in the most salutary measures.
In order, by a taste of pleasures, to reclaim the natives from that rude
and unsettled state which prompted them to war, and reconcile them to
quiet and tranquillity, he incited them, by private instigations
and public encouragements, to erect temples, courts of justice, and
dwelling-houses. He bestowed commendations upon those who were prompt
in complying with his intentions, and reprimanded such as were dilatory;
thus promoting a spirit of emulation which had all the force of
necessity. He was also attentive to provide a liberal education for the
sons of their chieftains, preferring the natural genius of the Britons
to the attainments of the Gauls; and his attempts were attended with
such success, that they who lately disdained to make use of the Roman
language, were now ambitious of becoming eloquent. Hence the Roman habit
began to be held in honor, and the toga was frequently worn. At length
they gradually deviated into a taste for those luxuries which stimulate
to vice; porticos, and baths, and the elegancies of the table; and this,
from their inexperience, they termed politeness, whilst, in reality, it
constituted a part of their slavery.
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