P. Cornelii Taciti libri qui supersunt

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The book is structured into an introduction, a biography of Agricola, and an epitaph. The biography consists of three parts: Agricola's early life before governing Britain, his tenure as governor and the conquest of the land, and his final years after returning home. The middle section, detailing his administration in Britain, stands out due to its length and historical significance, contrasting with the purely biographical nature of the other two parts. The introduction includes a description of Britain and its inhabitants, an overview of previous attempts at conquest, lengthy speeches, and a detailed account of a battle. These elements seem somewhat out of place within the confines of a biography, leading to the belief that this section was originally intended for a larger historical work. Tacitus may have incorporated it into the biography after the completion of the latter. Regardless of whether the material was previously prepared or compiled from various sources, it underwent a new editing process for inclusion in this book. This is evident in the use of Agricola's years in office for the chronology of events, rather than the usual consul dates, and the inclusion of a brief note about the loss of his son.