40 For Agricola was still the
governor of Britain.
Accordingly the Emperor ordered that the usual triumphal decorations, the
honour of a laurelled statue, and all that is commonly given in place of the
triumphal procession, with the addition of many laudatory expressions, should
be decreed in the senate, together with a hint to the effect that Agricola was
to have the province of Syria, then vacant by the death of Atilius Rufus, a man
of consular rank, and generally reserved for men of distinction. It was
believed by many persons that one of the freedmen employed on confidential
services was sent to Agricola, bearing a despatch in which Syria was offered
him, and with instructions to deliver it should he be in Britain; that this
freedman in crossing the straights met Agricola, and without even saluting him
made his way back to Domitian; though I cannot say whether the story is true,
or is only a fiction invented to suit the Emperor’s character. Meanwhile
Agricola had handed over his province in peace and safety to his successor. And
not to make his entrance into Rome
conspicuous by the concourse of welcoming throngs, he avoided the attentions of
his friends by entering the city at night, and at night too, according to
orders, proceeded to the palace, where, having been received with a hurried
embrace and without a word being spoken, he mingled in the crowd of courtiers.
Anxious henceforth to temper the military renown, which annoys men of peace,
with other merits, he studiously cultivated retirement and leisure, simple in
dress, courteous in conversation, and never accompanied but by one or two
friends, so that the many who commonly judge of great men by their external
grandeur, after having seen and attentively surveyed him, asked the secret of a
greatness which but few could explain.
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