XLI.
Crebro per eos dies apud Domitianum absens accusatus, absens absolutus est. Causa periculi non crimen ullum aut querela laesi cuiusquam, sed infensus virtutibus princeps et gloria viri ac pessimum inimicorum genus, laudantes. Et ea insecuta sunt rei publicae tempora, quae sileri Agricolam non sinerent: tot exercitus in Moesia Daciaque et Germania et Pannonia temeritate aut per ignaviam ducum amissi, tot militares viri cum tot cohortibus expugnati et capti; nec iam de limite imperii et ripa, sed de hibernis legionum et possessione dubitatum. Ita cum damna damnis continuarentur atque omnis annus funeribus et cladibus insigniretur, poscebatur ore vulgi dux Agricola, comparantibus cunctis vigorem, constantiam et expertum bellis animum cum inertia et formidine aliorum. Quibus sermonibus satis constat Domitiani quoque auris verberatas, dum optimus quisque libertorum amore et fide, pessimi malignitate et livore pronum deterioribus principem extimulabant. Sic Agricola simul suis virtutibus, simul vitiis aliorum in ipsam gloriam praeceps agebatur.
41.
In those days he was accused to Domitian more than once behind his back and behind his back absolved. The source of his danger lay not in any crime of his or in anyone’s complaint of injury, but in a ruler hostile to virtue, in Agricola’s own notoriety, and, in that most pernicious sort of enemy, the flatterers. Soon a period of great uncertainty for the empire followed, one that would not allow Agricola to be forgotten: when so many armies were lost in Moesia, Dacia, Germany, and Pannonia, and when so many prominent military men and their troops were defeated and captured. It was no longer the frontier of the empire and the banks of the river Danube that were in peril, but rather the winter quarters of the legions and the control of entire provinces. So, as reverses piled up and each year was marked by losses and defeats, the voice of the people was demanding that Agricola take command. Everyone compared his energy, his firmness, his expertise with the lethargy and timidity of the others. This talk, no doubt, was also dinning Domitian’s ears, while all along the best of his freedmen, moved by love and loyalty, and the worst by malice and envy, goaded a master all too inclined to evil. Thus Agricola, both because of his virtues and the lack of them in others, was being driven headlong to the very prominence he was trying to escape.
XLII.
Aderat iam annus, quo proconsulatum Africae et Asiae sortiretur, et occiso Civica nuper nec Agricolae consilium deerat nec Domitiano exemplum. Accessere quidam cogitationum principis periti, qui iturusne esset in provinciam ultro Agricolam interrogarent. Ac primo occultius quietem et otium laudare, mox operam suam in adprobanda excusatione offerre, postremo non iam obscuri suadentes simul terrentesque pertraxere ad Domitianum. Qui paratus simulatione, in adrogantiam compositus, et audiit preces excusantis, et, cum adnuisset, agi sibi gratias passus est, nec erubuit beneficii invidia. Salarium tamen proconsulare solitum offerri et quibusdam a se ipso concessum Agricolae non dedit, sive offensus non petitum, sive ex conscientia, ne quod vetuerat videretur emisse. Proprium humani ingenii est odisse quem laeseris: Domitiani vero natura praeceps in iram, et quo obscurior, eo inrevocabilior, moderatione tamen prudentiaque Agricolae leniebatur, quia non contumacia neque inani iactatione libertatis famam fatumque provocabat. Sciant, quibus moris est inlicita mirari, posse etiam sub malis principibus magnos viros esse, obsequiumque ac modestiam, si industria ac vigor adsint, eo laudis excedere, quo plerique per abrupta, sed in nullum rei publicae usum <nisi> ambitiosa morte inclaruerunt.
42.
The year was now come for him to choose by lot either the province of Africa or of Asia. Civica had recently been executed, so Agricola did not lack warning, or Domitian experience. He received a visit from certain of the emperor’s confidants, who were to find out, incidentally as it were, whether he intended to accept a province. First they began to praise peace and quiet in a roundabout way; before long they were offering their services in support of his excuses for refusing office; finally, giving up all pretence, they jostled him into Domitian’s presence, mingling entreaties with threats. The emperor, well-versed in hypocrisy, assuming a haughty demeanour, listened to Agricola’s request to be excused, gave his assent with a nod, and allowed himself to be thanked, without even blushing at the odiousness of the favour. But as to the salary usually offered to a proconsul, and which Domitian himself had bestowed on some, he did not give one to Agricola, either because the emperor was offended at not being asked, or because he had the suspicion that people might think he had bought Agricola’s refusal to serve, when in fact he had commanded it. It is a trait of human nature to hate the man you have injured; yet Domitian’s character, prone though it was to murderous anger, which became more implacable the more he kept it under cover, was softened by the modesty and discretion of Agricola, who made no show of defiance, no vain display of independence, such as would attract attention and provoke his doom. Let those whose habit it is to admire contempt for authority learn that there are great men even under evil rulers; that modesty and obedience, if supported by energy and enterprise, may surpass the glory most men attain at a much higher price, who become famous by a death which, however conspicuous, is useless to the country.
XLIII.
Finis vitae eius nobis luctuosus, amicis tristis, extraneis etiam ignotisque non sine cura fuit. vulgus quoque et hic aliud agens populus et ventitavere ad domum et per fora et circulos locuti sunt; nec quisquam audita morte Agricolae aut laetatus est aut statim oblitus. Augebat miserationem constans rumor veneno interceptum: nobis nihil comperti, [ut] adfirmare ausim. Ceterum per omnem valetudinem eius crebrius quam ex more principatus per nuntios visentis et libertorum primi et medicorum intimi venere, sive cura illud sive inquisitio erat. Supremo quidem die momenta ipsa deficientis per dispositos cursores nuntiata constabat, nullo credente sic adcelerari quae tristis audiret. Speciem tamen doloris animi vultu prae se tulit, securus iam odii et qui facilius dissimularet gaudium quam metum. Satis constabat lecto testamento Agricolae, quo coheredem optimae uxori et piissimae filiae Domitianum scripsit, laetatum eum velut honore iudicioque. Tam caeca et corrupta mens adsiduis adulationibus erat, ut nesciret a bono patre non scribi heredem nisi malum principem.
43.
His end was deeply mourned by us, his sorrowful friends, and even by strangers and those who knew him not. The public at large, the people of this ever inquisitive city, kept coming to the house, talked of him both in public and in private, and no one, on hearing of his death, was glad or forgot him at once. A persistent rumour that he had been poisoned added to the commiseration. I would say that we had no evidence of this. In any case, throughout his illness, both the emperor’s top freedmen and his personal physicians came more often than was usual with a ruler that visited by proxy. Perhaps the motive was real concern for the sick man, perhaps the desire to keep a close watch on him to the very last. Certain it is that when the end came, every moment of the failing man’s life was reported back by a series of runners, and no one believed that such haste was caused by the desire to hear tidings that would make him sad. Yet, his countenance plainly bore the signs of heartfelt sorrow. Now he had no reason to be afraid of him and his nature was such that it was easier for him to conceal joy than fear. It transpired that when Agricola’s will was read, in which he named Domitian co-heir with his most virtuous wife and very dutiful daughter, he rejoiced greatly at the news, as if he had received an honor or a sign of esteem. So blind was his mind, corrupted by constant adulation, that he could not see that a good father would not name the emperor heir unless he were a despot.
XLIV.
Natus erat Agricola Gaio Caesare tertium consule idibus Iuniis: excessit quarto et quinquagesimo anno, decimum kalendas Septembris Collega Prisc<in>oque consulibus. Quod si habitum quoque eius posteri noscere velint, decentior quam sublimior fuit; nihil impetus in vultu: gratia oris supererat. Bonum virum facile crederes, magnum libenter. Et ipse quidem, quamquam medio in spatio integrae aetatis ereptus, quantum ad gloriam, longissimum aevum peregit. Quippe et vera bona, quae in virtutibus sita sunt, impleverat, et consulari ac triumphalibus ornamentis praedito quid aliud adstruere fortuna poterat? Opibus nimiis non gaudebat, speciosae [non] contigerant. Filia atque uxore superstitibus potest videri etiam beatus incolumi dignitate, florente fama, salvis adfinitatibus et amicitiis futura effugisse. Nam sicut ei [non licuit] durare in hanc beatissimi saeculi lucem ac principem Traianum videre, quod augurio votisque apud nostras auris ominabatur, ita festinatae mortis grande solacium tulit evasisse postremum illud tempus, quo Domitianus non iam per intervalla ac spiramenta temporum, sed continuo et velut uno ictu rem publicam exhausit.
44.
Agricola was borne on the 13th of June during the third consulate of Gaius Caesar and died in his fifty-fourth year on the 23rd of August in the consulship of Collega and Priscinus. Should future readers be curious about his appearance, he was well-built rather than imposing. His face suggested no harshness and its dominant expression was benevolent. It was easy to imagine him a good man and one would willingly think him a great one. And, as to greatness, the man himself did indeed fulfill his promise for the longest time, though he was taken from us in his prime. The true blessings of life, which have their seat in virtue, he had certainly attained. To one who had the consular and the triumphal decorations bestowed on him, what else could fortune give? Excessive wealth did not attract him and he was possessed of ample means. With wife and daughter surviving him, he may even be considered lucky to have escaped the evil days ahead with his honour safe, his fame untarnished, and kindred and friends safe. For, just as it was not his destiny to last until the light of this most fortunate age and to see Trajan rule (a happiness he told us he saw coming both in his reading of omens and in his prayers), so he derived also much compensation for his premature death, in that he was spared those last days in which Domitian, no longer in fits that left time to breathe, but with one continuous and, as it were, single blow, drained the state of all its blood.
XLV.
Non vidit Agricola obsessam curiam et clausum armis senatum et eadem strage tot consularium caedes, tot nobilissimarum feminarum exilia et fugas. Una adhuc victoria Carus Mettius censebatur, et intra Albanam arcem sententia Messalini strepebat, et Massa Baebius iam tum reus erat: mox nostrae duxere Helvidium in carcerem manus; nos Maurici Rusticique visus [foedavit]; nos innocenti sanguine Senecio perfudit. Nero tamen subtraxit oculos suos iussitque scelera, non spectavit: praecipua sub Domitiano miseriarum pars erat videre et aspici, cum suspiria nostra subscriberentur, cum denotandis tot hominum palloribus sufficeret saevus ille vultus et rubor, quo se contra pudorem muniebat. Tu vero felix, Agricola, non vitae tantum claritate, sed etiam opportunitate mortis. Ut perhibent qui interfuere novissimis sermonibus tuis, constans et libens fatum excepisti, tamquam pro virili portione innocentiam principi donares. Sed mihi filiaeque eius praeter acerbitatem parentis erepti auget maestitiam, quod adsidere valetudini, fovere deficientem, satiari vultu complexuque non contigit. Excepissemus certe mandata vocesque, quas penitus animo figeremus. Noster hic dolor, nostrum vulnus, nobis tam longae absentiae condicione ante quadriennium amissus est. Omnia sine dubio, optime parentum, adsidente amantissima uxore superfuere honori tuo: paucioribus tamen lacrimis compositus es, et novissima in luce desideravere aliquid oculi tui.
45.
Agricola did not see the Senate-house under siege, the Senate hemmed in by force of arms, the massacre of so many men of consular rank in one single wave of executions, the flight and exile of so many noble women. Up to that time Mettius Carus could boast but of one victory, Messalinus’ raucous ravings were heard only inside the Alban citadel, and Baebius Massa was then still on trial. But soon it was our own hands that dragged Helvidius to prison, we who were crushed by the look Mauricus and Rusticus directed at us, we who were drenched by Senecio’s innocent blood. Nero, at least, averted his eyes and did not view the atrocities he authorized. Under Domitian, the unendurable part of our misery was to see and be seen, to have our sighs counted, to have those cruel eyes of his take tally, at a single glance, of the many of us who turned pale, to have before us that flushed red face, behind which he hid any sign of shame. You were indeed fortunate, Agricola, not only for the glory of your life, but for the timeliness of your death. As we are told by those who heard your last words, you met your fate steadfast and cheerful, as if you wanted, as far as a man could, to clear the emperor of all blame. But for me and his daughter, to the heartbreak of a father’s loss is added the regret that it was not given us to nurse him in his sickness, to support his failing strength, and to treasure up his looks and embraces. Had we been there, we would have received some message or guiding words to fix deeply in our hearts. This grief is ours and ours only, ours the deep wound: from us, because of our long absence, he was taken four years too soon. With your most loving wife at your side, I doubt not, best of fathers, that all tributes of affection were lavished in your honour. Yet more tears should have mourned your passing — our tears– and in the last glimmer of light your eyes longed for something in vain — our presence.
XLVI.
Si quis piorum manibus locus, si, ut sapientibus placet, non cum corpore extinguuntur magnae animae, placide quiescas, nosque domum tuam ab infirmo desiderio et muliebribus lamentis ad contemplationem virtutum tuarum voces, quas neque lugeri neque plangi fas est. Admiratione te potius et immortalibus laudibus et, si natura suppeditet, similitudine colamus: is verus honos, ea coniunctissimi cuiusque pietas. Id filiae quoque uxorique praeceperim, sic patris, sic mariti memoriam venerari, ut omnia facta dictaque eius secum revolvant, formamque ac figuram animi magis quam corporis complectantur, non quia intercedendum putem imaginibus quae marmore aut aere finguntur, sed ut vultus hominum, ita simulacra vultus imbecilla ac mortalia sunt, forma mentis aeterna, quam tenere et exprimere non per alienam materiam et artem, sed tuis ipse moribus possis. Quidquid ex Agricola amavimus, quidquid mirati sumus, manet mansurumque est in animis hominum in aeternitae temporum, fama rerum; nam multos veterum velut inglorios et ignobilis oblivio obruit: Agricola posteritati narratus et traditus superstes erit.
46.
If there is a place where the spirits of the just dwell, if (as the wise are fond of saying) great souls do not end with the body, may you rest in peace and may you summon us, your family, from vain regrets and unmanly tears to the contemplation of your virtues, which to mourn and bewail is unseemly. Let us rather honour you with our admiration and unending praise, and (if nature gives us strength) with the will to emulate: this is the best tribute, this the true piety of one’s nearest kin. To your daughter and your wife alike I should presume to offer one advice: so to venerate a father’s and a husband’s memory as to have ever present in their minds all his words and acts and to cherish the form and figure of his character, rather than of his body. It is not that I am against images shaped out of marble or bronze, but that, like the human face, its effigies are empty and transitory, whereas the nature of the mind is eternal and such that it may be held and expressed not by external materials and art, but by proper conduct in our own lives. Whatever we loved and admired in Agricola remains and will remain in the hearts of men for all time, thanks to the record of his deeds. Oblivion has erased the memory of many men in the past that lacked distinction and nobility. Agricola, whose story is told here and passed on to posterity, will survive.