Sextus Calpurnius Agricola

Sextus Calpurnius Agricola was a Roman senator and general active during the 2nd century. He was consul suffectus with Tiberius Claudius Julianus for the nundinium of September-October 154.[1] Agricola is known primarily from inscriptions.

Sextus Calpurnius Agricola
AllegianceRoman Empire
Years of servicec.150-c.170
RankLegate
consul suffectus, imperial legate, Governor
Commands heldGermania Superior
Dacia
Moesia
Dedication to the god Sol Invictus, by a vexillatio of the Legio VI Victrix under the command of Agricola.

Life

No information has yet been found about Calpurnius Agricola prior to his consulate. His origin is attested in no surviving document, and the gentilicium "Calpurnius" is commonly found all over the Empire. However, Anthony Birley notes the combination "Sextus Calpurnius" is very uncommon, and he suggests that Agricola is related to Fronto's friend Sextus Calpurnius Julianus; if so, he may have been a native of Cirta or another town in Numidia.[2]

Calpurnius Agricola was governor of Germania Superior around 158.[3]

In 161 or 162 he was made governor of Britain and remained until at least 163, possibly until the end of the 160s.[3]

In 163, he was sent to Britain to control uprisings in the north. He rebuilt a number of forts, most notably that at Coria (Corbridge). He withdrew troops southwards from Scotland towards the line of Hadrian's Wall to contend with the threats of further rebellion.[4]

There are indications of unrest in Britain around the time of his rule attested by damage to the forum at Viroconium Cornoviorum (Wroxeter) and the burning of a large part of Verulamium (St Albans).[5][6]

Around 166 AD Agricola was appointed imperial legate in Roman Dacia.[7] Between 168 and 169, he was one of the governors of Lower Moesia.

Notes
  1. AE 1980, 760
  2. Birley, Fasti of Roman Britain (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1981), p. 127
  3. Patricia Southern, Roman Britain: A New History 55BC - AD 450
  4. RIB 1127, 1149, cf. 1389
  5. Robin George Collingwood, John Nowell Linton Myres Roman Britain and the English Settlements p.150
  6. Historia Augusta Life of Marcus Aurelius 8.8
  7. Birley 2000, p. 145.

Sources

Epigraphics

Secondary
  • Patricia Southern, Roman Britain: A New History 55BC - AD 450
  • Birley, Anthony (2000). Marcus Aurelius. Roman imperial biographies. London and New York: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-17125-0.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
Political offices
Preceded by
Marcus Valerius Etruscus (?),
and Lucius Aemilius Juncus (?)
as consules suffecti		 Suffect consul of the Roman Empire
154
with Tiberius Claudius Julianus		 Succeeded by
Gaius Julius Statius Severus,
and Titus Junius Severus
as consules suffecti
Preceded by
Marcus Statius Priscus		 Roman governors of Britain
161- later in the 160s		 Succeeded by
Unknown, then Quintus Antistius Adventus
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