How to be a Roman Senator: Analysing Agency in Tacitus' Agricola

For Tacitus, power and control are two crucial aspects. The powers and freedoms of the senators is a topic Tacitus wrestles with throughout his works. In this paper, I will examine how the Agricola discusses what it means to be a Roman Senator, especially during Tacitus’ present -day and the imminent future, focusing on the senator’s agency. The Agricola is a multifaceted work characterised by transition and uncertainty: Tacitus’ Agricola is an encomium of his father -in -law, praising his military achievements and arguing that one can still lead an honourable life under a tyrant. At the same time, it is also an ambiguous commentary on the life of a Roman senator under Domitian and visualises the future under Trajan. Through analysing metaphors of agency, I will show that Tacitus focuses on the limits of power of the Roman senators and how one can navigate Roman politics post -Domitian. I will argue that the metaphors of slavery and silence emphasise the limitations of agency. At the same time, the contrast between Agricola’s role in Britain and Rome shows there are different forms of agency. Whereas the use of libertas would indicate the possibility of agency, in the Agricola libertas is always threatened or uncertain. The result is a bleak outlook on the future. Yet, the Agricola is but one interpretation of levels of agency between senator and emperor. I will conclude by contrasting Tacitus’ view of the future with those in Pliny the Younger and Frontinus, and examine why Tacitus has chosen pessimism.