Agricola: Architect of Roman Britain

by Simon Turney

Gnaeus Julius Agricola was a man fated for conquest and tied to the island of Britannia. He cut his teeth on military command during the revolt of Boudicca, later commanded a legion against the warlike Brigantes and was finally given the governorship of the province and was able to lead the armies north, incorporating into the empire the wild northern lands that had remained unclaimed for three decades. He broke the back of the Scottish tribes at Mons Graupius and achieved what no other Roman ever managed. Agricola had a settled Britannia in his hands, only to be removed and see it evaporate without him.

Agricola’s biography was written by his son-in-law Tacitus, and his life has otherwise never been examined in detail. Here, using the archaeological record and contemporary accounts to compare with Tacitus, we work to uncover the truth about the man who made Roman Britain. Was Tacitus an unreliable narrator?

Genres: History

288 pages, Hardcover

Published May 15, 2022

About the author

Alternate publishing name for author S.J.A. Turney

Reviews

[Josh Swinscoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Turney does an excellent job when it comes to writing about Agricola. The language used is good for the reader, as well as the structure. It is Excellently researched, and shows it. There are many maps and tables for the reader to look at as they read through the work.

Turney starts of talking about the childhood of Agricola, where he would have grown up, what he would have learnt, and the social class he would belong to. This part is very interesting and sets up for the rest of the book.

After this, Turney starts about Agricolas early career and what he did. This talks about him Serving in Britian, and working an administrative post in Asia Minor. It really helps to show the character of Agricola as someone who works hard, is dedicated and doesn't become corrupted by his surroundings.

The work then focuses on Agricolas later career in Britian. It shows how his role developed, and his progression along the Cursus Honorum. While focusing on Agricola, Turney also brings our attention to the other Governors that pre dated him and the effects they had on the island and its conquest. We also see events change in Rome, with the year of the four emperors focused on earlier, and the changes in the Flavian dynasty later. The British Tribes also get covered well, talking about their lands, and their systems.

It builds up to Mons Graupius, and offers a deep dive into where this battle was fought, why some of the possible places can't be it, and why some can. He also addresses the pre battle speeches of both commanders, and the day in which Calgacus is purely fiction made by Tacitus and his speech a collection of speeches. After this chapter he dives into the actual battle and talks us through it, analysing the tactics, and stories told about it.

The ending of this book deals with Agricola's life after his governorship of Britian, as a private citizen. It a nice chapter and talks about Agricola's and Domitian's interactions. The actual concluding chapter Is a nice little one that's really concludes the overall book well.

Throughout the entire work, Turney makes sure to keep referencing both the literary sources and the Archeology. Showing how different translations of Tacitus may make us belive different things and leads us to different conclusions. Turney makes sure to provided us with tables that help us understand the evidence, and the Archeology/dating. The Maps in the Appendix also help the reader understand what they are looking at as it develops, and Turney tells us what map to look at and when.

Overall, after this overly long review, I would have to definitely say that it is totally worth a read, and that it presents a good life of Agricola. 5/5

[Waltram · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hesitated in rating this book four stars or five stars. It's more of a 4.5.While Simon Turney's research on the subject is excellent, it goes a bit too much in depth with details and analysis, trying to make sense of Tacitus' biography of Agricola whenever some elements are left unsaid, or trying to ascertain the actual location of Roman forts, which shows a great dedication of the author, but is sometimes a bit to tedious. At least when reading the Agricola novel series by the same author, we know that he has done his due diligence for his historical research.

[Patrick Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

History has always been a love of mine. When an author can take a subject and make it understandable, he is doing what needs to be done. In this case I am able to delve into a subject which I do not know well, and come out learning what I had not known. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to learn from you.

[A.M. Swink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, thoughtful, and thorough analysis and evaluation of Tacitus’s Agricola, comparing multiple translations against known archaeology and topography. Phenomenally researched and expertly presented.

[Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throughly interesting about the individual, but the downside was that it is heavy on the detail which made it a slow read for myself. Would recommend for anyone wanting to know more on Agricola

[Peter A Macpherson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining account built on Tacitus naturally. The maps are excellent in following the campaigns.

[Robert Paterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

Turney adds to the trend of narrative history. His novelist skills shape and brighten his material. His deep research underpins everything. His imagination enables him to fill the gaps and his intuition enables him to question.
Agricola is a seminal figure in British history and Turney brings him to life. More biographies please SJT