This work by the Roman writer, Tacitus, written c. AD 98, recounts the life of his father-in-law Gnaeus Julius Agricola, an eminent Roman general and Governor of Britain from AD 77/78 – 83/84. It also covers the geography and ethnography of ancient Britain. In the first three sections of the Agricola, Tacitus discusses the nature of biographies and includes anecdotes on how previous examples have been treated. Tacitus also comments on the state of the Roman Empire at the time of his writing of the Agricola, stating that circumstances are not conducive to living a moral life. The fourth section is a summary of Agricola's heritage, which was strong according to Tacitus, his personality, and education, which Tacitus says was well rounded and extensive. Tacitus then describes Agricola's military apprenticeship in Britannia, describing how Agricola was helping to deal with tumultuous times in that province, with an uprising having taken place there. The subsequent sections discuss Agricola's personal life and professional career prior to his governorship in Britannia.

Gaius Cornelius Tacitus, commonly known as Tacitus (born c. 56 – c. 120 AD), was a Roman historian and senator who authored several significant works that contribute vastly to our understanding of Roman history and governmental systems. Tacitus is known for his incisive analysis and penetrating insights into the Roman Empire's political and social issues. His writing evinced a remarkable understanding of human character and the flow of history, often highlighting the interplay between fate and the individual's actions. Among his essential works is 'The Life and Death of Julius Agricola' ('De vita et moribus Iulii Agricolae'), a biography of his father-in-law, which also serves as a source of British history and a depiction of Roman Britain. This book, like many of his other works, reflects Tacitus' literary style characterized by brevity and piercing conciseness, that has proven influential on both contemporary and subsequent historiography. His other notable works such as 'Annals' and 'Histories' offer detailed accounts of the Roman Empire from the death of Augustus to the end of the Flavian dynasty. Through his critical and often cynical portrayal of the vices of imperial Rome, Tacitus has earned a reputation as one of antiquity's greatest historians.