The Germany and the Agricola of Tacitus by Cornelius Tacitus

(5 User reviews)   1098
By Donna Ferrari Posted on Jan 12, 2026
In Category - Personal Finance
Tacitus, Cornelius, 56-117 Tacitus, Cornelius, 56-117
English
Ever wondered what the Romans really thought about the 'barbarians' they fought? Tacitus gives us the answer, and it's not what you'd expect. In 'The Germany and the Agricola,' he paints a surprisingly complex picture. On one hand, he details the life of his father-in-law, Agricola, the general who conquered Britain. On the other, he describes the fierce Germanic tribes as noble, free, and in many ways, morally superior to the corrupt Romans back home. The real conflict here is in Tacitus's own mind: a proud Roman official wrestling with the idea that the empire he serves might be losing its soul. It's ancient history that feels shockingly modern.
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Every attempt has been made to replicate the original book as printed. Some typographical errors have been corrected. (A list follows the e-text.) No attempt has been made to modernize the printed accentuation of the Spanish words. (etext transcriber's note) _The Publishers call attention to the following Works for the study of the Spanish Language_:- English-Spanish Grammar, by Hossfeld's New Method, arranged for Classes, Schools, and Private Lessons. Conjugation of Spanish Verbs. English-Spanish Commercial Correspondent. Spanish-English and English-Spanish Dictionary (new Edition). Hossfeld's Spanish Reader. Spanish Commercial Correspondence and Technicalities, by Cornett. Modern Spanish Reader, by O'Doherty. Spanish-English and English-Spanish Idiom and Phrase Book, by Macdonald. Spanish Composition, by Macdonald. Spanish Composition and Idioms, by Yañez. English and Spanish Vocabulary. Engineering Translations in English and Spanish, by Standring. Dictionary of Engineering Terms in English and Spanish, by García and Cornett. Spanish Technological Dictionary, by Ponce de León--Vol. 1. English-Spanish. Vol. 2. Spanish-English. Handbook of Commercial Spanish, by Thomas. HOSSFELD'S POCKET MANUALS. HOSSFELD'S SPANISH DIALOGUES, AND IDIOMATIC PHRASES INDISPENSABLE FOR A RAPID ACQUISITION OF THE =SPANISH LANGUAGE= _New Edition, Entirely Revised and Enlarged_ BY W. N. CORNETT LONDON HIRSCHFELD BROTHERS, LIMITED 263, High Holborn, W.C. 40 & 42, University Avenue, Glasgow 133, North Thirteenth Street, Philadelphia 1915 _Copyright._ _All rights reserved._ PREFACE. The aid of a reliable book of dialogues in the study of a language cannot be overestimated, and it is with a view to further increasing the usefulness in this respect of the present work that it has been thoroughly revised, and a number of important changes made in it. The pages on Spanish pronunciation have been re-written and augmented, as have also those on the verbs, and numerous additions have been made to the vocabularies, several of which have also been rearranged. As in the new editions of the French and other dialogues of the series, idioms and proverbs, alphabetically arranged, have been substituted for less useful matter, and some aids are given to letter-writing, but for a full treatment of this latter subject those interested are referred to special works dealing with it issued by the same publishers. The above changes, together with others of a minor character, but which bring the work right up to date, will, it is felt, be appreciated by all desirous of acquiring a good conversational knowledge of the Spanish language. Wallasey. W. N. CORNETT. CONTENTS. INDICE. _Page_ _Página_ | Chapter on Pronunciation xii | Sobre la Pronunciación xii | PART I. | PRIMERA PARTE. | _Words of Frequent Occurrence._ | _Palabras de Uso Frecuente._ | The Days of the Week 1 | Los Días de la Semana 1 | The Months 2 | Los Meses 2 | Division of Time 2 | División del Tiempo 2 | Seasons and Special Days 4 | Las Estaciones y Días de Fiesta 4 | Man and Relationship 4 | El Hombre y el Parentesco 4 | The State, Dignities, etc. 7 | El Estado, Dignidades, etc. 7 | The Army 10 | El Ejército 10 | The Navy 12 | La Marina 12 | Religion 14 | La Religión 14 | Arts and Sciences 16 | Artes y Ciencias 16 | Commerce 20 | Comercio 20 | Money 24 | Monedas 24 | Professions and Trades 25 | Profesiones y Oficios 25 | Sports, Pastimes, etc. 29 | Deportes, Pasatiempos, etc. 29 | Railways 30 | Ferrocarriles 30 | A Steamship 32 | Un Vapor 32 | A journey 33 | Un Viaje 33 | The Office 34 | La Oficina 34 | Parts of the Body 35 | Partes del Cuerpo 35 | Ailments,...

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Okay, let's break this down. This isn't a novel; it's two short works bundled together. The first, Agricola, is a biography and eulogy for Tacitus's father-in-law, Gnaeus Julius Agricola. It follows his career, focusing on his successful campaigns in Britain. We get battles, political intrigue in Rome, and a portrait of a loyal soldier serving an increasingly paranoid emperor.

The second piece, Germany, is something else entirely. It's an ethnographic study of the various tribes living east of the Rhine. Tacitus describes their customs, social structures, and fierce warrior culture in vivid detail. He contrasts their simple, honorable lives with the luxury and corruption he sees in Imperial Rome.

Why You Should Read It

This book is a mind-bender. Tacitus is supposed to be celebrating Roman conquest, but he can't help himself. His account of Germany reads like a backhanded compliment to the enemy. He admires their bravery, their commitment to freedom, and their strong family ties. You can feel his frustration with the political decay in Rome. It's like listening to a brilliant, disillusioned insider questioning everything his society stands for. The tension between his duty and his observations makes it incredibly compelling.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who loves history that's about people, not just dates and battles. If you enjoy complex characters (even in non-fiction) and big ideas about power, morality, and empire, you'll find a lot here. It's short, packed with insight, and offers a perspective on ancient Rome you won't get from conquering emperors. Just be ready for some dense prose—this is a nearly 2,000-year-old text, after all. A rewarding challenge for curious readers.



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Lisa Mitchell
2 months ago

I decided to give this a chance and the depth of coverage exceeded my expectations. This made complex ideas feel approachable.

Michelle Rodriguez
4 weeks ago

I came across this while researching and it serves as a poignant reminder of the human condition. I'm sending the link to all my friends.

John Garcia
5 months ago

I had low expectations initially, however the structure supports both quick reading and deep study. I couldn't put it down until the very end.

Susan Smith
3 months ago

I approached this with an open mind and the attention to historical detail adds a layer of realism that is rare. A perfect companion for a quiet weekend.

Lucas Garcia
5 months ago

While comparing similar resources, it challenges the reader's perspective in the most intellectual way. Well worth recommending.

4.5
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