Agricola 3

Study Guide Questions for Ch. 22-35

If you are looking for the beginning of the study of Tacitus’ Agricola then you can go HERE for a brief introduction. At the bottom of the introduction you will find the links to each section of the study guide as it becomes available. If you would like to see the growing list of available book studies available for free on this site you can go HERE. Enjoy!

Virtues/Vices/Great Ideas: (Find them in the Text)

Cowardice, Grief, Unity, Freedom, Hope, Love, License

Grammar Questions: (The Information of the Text)

1. What did Tacitus say was the case about all of the forts Agricola constructed?

2. How did Tacitus describe Agricola’s character in Ch. 22?

3. According to Tacitus, why did Agricola befriend a “Hibernian prince?”

4. For what did Tacitus call certain men “cowards in the council” during the campaign in Caledonia?

5. What did the Britanni do when Agricola split his forces into three groups?

6. What morally repugnant thing did the Usipi cohort resort to, as a result of famine, after abandoning their Roman legion?

7. What significant personal loss did Agricola experience after which he used “the conduct of war” to help “relieve his sorrow?”

8. What did the Britanni finally realize about their “common danger?”

9. What analogy did Calgacus use to explain why they would have it worst among Rome’s slaves if they fell into their hands?

10. List at least three reasons Clagicus gave for his claim that “all that can goad men to victory” was on their side?

11. What did Agricola tell his men as to why the Britanni were now finally taking their stand to fight?

12. Where did Agricola position himself for the fight against the Britanni?

Logic Questions: (Interpreting, Comparing/Contrasting, Reasoning)

1. What is meant by the statement that Agricola “thought it more honourable to hurt than to hate?” Why might that be true?

2. What did Tacitus mean when he said, “This is the crowning injustice of war; all claim credit for success, while defeat is laid to the account of one?”

3. What did Calgacus mean by saying, “The clash of battle – the hero’s glory – has become the coward’s safest refuge.”

4. What did Calgacus mean by saying, “the reputation of the Roman army is built upon the faults of its enemies?”

5. Why would Calgacus say “courage and martial spirit” not be prized in Rome’s subjects?

6. Agricola stated that “that safety and renown are to be sought in the same field.” What did he mean by that?

Rhetoric Questions: (The Analysis of Ideas in the Text)

1. Calgacus said, “Our children and kinsmen, by nature’s law, we love above all else.” Do you think it is right that we should love some people more than others? If so, to what extent should this principle of natural affection be applied? If not, why not?

2. Calgacus said, “Apprehension and terror are weak bonds of affection; just break them, and, where fear has ended, hatred will begin.” How effective is fear as a form of keeping a people in submission? What are other options for how a people might be kept under another nation’s rule? What do you think is the most effective approach for keeping control over a tributary nation? Explain your reasoning.

3. What is a principle of good leadership which can be gleaned from Agricola’s actions in this reading? Make sure you highlight something different than you did in the previous lesson. Explain why this is a good principle of leadership.

4. Compare and contrast the two speeches given in this reading (Calgacus' and Agricola’s). What is similar about the two speeches? What is different about the two speech? Which speech do you find to be more compelling? Explain why you think that speech is more powerful and effective than the other.

Theological Analysis: (Sola Scriptura)

1. Read Judges 9:42-45. What is similar about Abimilech’s strategy against his enemies to that which Agricola used in Ch. 25-26?

2. Read Matthew 12:22-32. How might we relate Jesus’ teaching here to concepts illustrated in our present reading?