Agricola Cnaeus Julius

Agricola, Cnaeus Julius, a famous Roman general, born at Forum Julii in Gaul, A.D. 37. He served in the East as quaestor, and attached himself to Vespasian, who made him governor of Aquitania, A.D. 73. After filling the consulate in 77 he was sent to govern Britain, where he conquered the Ordovices in N. Wales, and took Mona (Anglesea). He crossed the Tweed, and in 80 pushed on to the Firth of Tay, building a chain of forts from the Clyde to the Solway Firth. His policy in Britain was conciliatory, and he did his best to win over the native population to Roman manners. He was recalled by Domitian, to whom his popularity was distasteful, and lived till 93 in retirement. There is reason to suspect that he was poisoned by the emperor. Tacitus the historian, who was his son-in-law, wrote his life.