The Germany and the Agricola of Tacitus by Cornelius Tacitus

• Agricola is a biography of Gnaeus Julius Agricola, Tacitus' father-in-law. It details Agricola's rise through the Roman military ranks, culminating in his governorship of Britain. Tacitus portrays Agricola as a virtuous and skilled leader who expanded Roman territory in Britain. The work also criticizes the paranoia and corruption of the Roman emperor Domitian, who forced Agricola into retirement.

• Germania, on the other hand, is an ethnographic study of the Germanic peoples. Tacitus describes their customs, social structures, and political systems. He portrays them as living a simpler, more moral life compared to the decadent Roman Empire. However, some scholars believe Tacitus may have exaggerated these differences to critique Roman society.

While separate works, both Agricola and Germania offer valuable insights into Roman history and society during the 1st century AD. Agricola provides a firsthand account of Roman military campaigns in Britain, while Germania offers a glimpse into the culture of a neighboring people group.