Conquest: Caesar and Tacitus

Caesar's account of the Gallic Wars reconstructs his conquests, defeats, and ultimate victory. We will consider the great general's aims and objectives in launching such a major military campaign and in writing a history of these endeavors. Was he simply seeking greater glory for the Roman people? After the midterm, we will turn our critical attention to the life of another Julius: Cn. Iulius Agricola, the Imperial general largely responsible for Rome’s conquest of Britain. In this moral biography of his father-in-law, Tacitus mixes panegyric and invective to reveal the less savory aspects of imperialism: Rome’s rapacity, corruption, greed, and despotism.