Agricola. Germania. Dialogue on Oratory (Loeb Classical Library 35) Hardcover – 1 July 1989

The Loeb Edition of Tacitus is excellent. Similar printing and binding as with the rest from this series.The facing English translation is good, and the edition of the Latin comes with an array of notes and a good exegesis.

Hard work, but worth it. Stretches the mind.

The Agricola and the Germania are the first works written by Cornelius Tacitus completed in 98 AD. Tacitus, a Roman senator and Governor of Asia 112-113 AD, is one of the best known historians of his era. The Agricola is a biography of the life of Gnaeus Julius Agricola, the Governor of Britain from 78-84 AD. Agricola seems to have had an illustrious career and had been a successful governor, but as Agricola's son-in-law, Tacitus is a biased source. The Germania describes the characteristics of the various German tribes. Tacitus is unlikely to have visited the tribes himself so his information is most likely based on the research of others and hearsay. While his reliability is sometimes questionable, these are some of the earliest descriptions of Britons and Germans that we have and of historical value. You also get some insight into the administration of Roman Britain and the pacification of the Britons. The Agricola and the Germania are both sprinkled with Tacitus's commentary on Rome. Tacitus has a low opinion of the current state of Roman society. He frequently admires the unspoiled qualities of the barbarians as compared to his morally questionable countrymen. Tacitus's style and flair make these works easy to read, even amusing at times.