Agricola means “farmer” or “cultivator of the land” in Latin, but in this case it is not describing a profession so much as a Roman family name (cognomen).

The work by Tacitus is a biography of Gnaeus Julius Agricola, who was Tacitus’ father-in-law (a close family relative by marriage).

So the title works on two levels:

• Literal meaning: “farmer / cultivator”
• Proper name: the personal name of Tacitus’ father-in-law, the Roman general and governor of Britain

Tacitus likely preserves the name’s earthy meaning on purpose, since Agricola’s character is presented as unusually disciplined, restrained, and morally grounded—qualities that contrast with the political corruption of the imperial court.

Agricola