39. Agricola - British Isles. Emperors (Nero, Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian).

39 .   -Daniel Chapter 11, Verse 19.

Agricola - British Isles. Emperors

(Nero, Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian).

AD 59 to AD 93? 

Let us take a quick look at Agricola's life and times in Britain written much of by the Roman historian Tacitus. Secular history tells us that Agricola as a young man got his first taste of fighting the tribes in Britain in AD 61, when the Emperor Nero was then on the Roman throne and Suetonius was commander of the Roman legions fighting in North Wales. (Who went on to fight the uprising of Boadicea and the tribes).

Agricola returned to Rome and then to Asia for a short while. Once more "he" was sent to Britain by the new Emperor Vespasian this time in command of the 20th legion. Agricola showed much quality and skill in fighting as a Roman Commander, thus earning for himself an excellent name, honoured and trustworthy. It is said Agricola was diplomatic, firm yet fair and was well thought of by Emperor and soldier alike. Tacitus the Roman historian wrote strongly of the nobility of Agricola's manner, writing that Agricola recognised that Rome itself was greater than any of its rulers, therefore, he accepted each new Emperor during his time with respect. He was a typical member of the ruling classes of Rome during the time of its power of expansion and glory. When it ruled from the then British Isles to the Euphrates in Mesopotamia.

The prominence of Agricola in history remains in the fact that the "Isles" was subdued under him. The Emperor Vespasian was well pleased with Agricola and after his term ended in Britain, he gave him the governorship of Aquitaine (a large area of south-western France) for the next 3 years. After leaving the shores of the British Isles approx; 73-74 AD. Vespasian also promoted him to the Consulship of Rome which he held for a few months in 78 AD. Later on however, in 78 AD once more Agricola headed for Britain, this time as governor of the "Isles", a post he was to keep for the next 7 years, which length of time was unusual because the various postings lasted approx; 3 years.

When Agricola arrived in Britain, North Wales and further North in England into Scotland, were yet to be subdued. There was indeed a fearful carnage of peoples of the Ordovices tribe of North Wales and after Agricola took Anglesey, all of Wales was now under the heel of the legions. He advanced into Northern England with great calculated speed, terrorising the people as he went, who then submitted to Roman rule shire by shire. He then struck deep into Scotland subduing the many lands of the various tribes. During this time the Emperor Vespasian died in 79 AD. The new Emperor to follow him was Vespasian's son Titus. This was the -"he" who in verse 15 of Daniel chapter 11, "cast up" a mount around Jerusalem.-

During Titus's short reign of 2 years on Rome's throne, he was to see another fire sweeping the city of Rome, with the volcano Vesuvius erupting violently, blowing its top and burying the now famous cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Titus died at the age of 42 and Domitian, 12 years younger than him, took his place as Emperor of Rome.

While Rome's affairs were changing, Agricola in the British Isles pressed on his relentless subduing of its peoples. By the year 81 AD Agricola and his legions consolidated Scotland, building a line of strong forts along the North from the Clyde estuary to the Firth of Forth River. Later in history this line became a permanent frontier built by the Emperor Hadrian in AD 120, this defence known as Hadrian's Wall.

Agricola fought a decisive battle against the highlanders in Caledonia and advanced until he reached Strathmore, then fighting the last battle still further North to the Orkneys, Agricola had now conquered all Britain.

Ireland was to escape the invasion of the marching legions, though Agricola from the North of Scotland saw and knew of that land and peoples and perhaps dreamed of it becoming a Roman estate.

His fleet of ships circumnavigated the coast of Britain proving it was indeed an island.

He now turned his hand to the administration and Romanisation of Britain, which he accomplished with his usual skill.

Let us now have a quick look at Vespasian's younger son Domitian who was the new Emperor of Rome, who was to be Agricola's "opponent" revealed in Daniel's verse 19.

Domitian inherited the Empire at the age of 29, he was highly intelligent but beset by suspicion and fear, much of his 15 years as Emperor he was to terrorise Rome, especially the upper classes. His suspected opponents real or imaginary within the army and Senate, he had executed.

We come now to the first line in Daniel 11:19. "THEN HE SHALL TURN HIS FACE TOWARD THE FORT OF HIS OWN LAND". Remember reader, Agricola had spent many years of his life from 61 AD until 84-85 AD doing various tours of duty in the British Isles, under 4 different Roman Emperors. During these years he had climbed the ladder of success in the army, serving with distinction in Britain, Asia and Aquitania. Whatever he turned his hand to, he did with flare and precision and was a great favourite with the ranks of the army. Now however Agricola was to face a new enemy in Rome, during the years 84-85 AD whilst Britain lay quiet and secure.

When Daniel speaks of a "FORT" in verse 19, he is referring to Rome. The meaning of the word "fort" is a strong place, or a fortress and usually a small place occupied by troops.

Rome was indeed a "strong place" and indeed occupied by troops. It received into the city its marching legions and sent them marching out of that city again. The Emperors had their own personal guards for protection and the army more than played its part at times in setting up its own Emperors. Rome's might began from a small fortress city and grew with the strength of its fighting legions.

When Daniel says the word "THEN", it is an affirmation "at the time", (whether past or present) and it means that soon afterward or immediately, or in consequence for a reason.

We shall see that "reason" take shape in a moment.

The next words in Daniel verse 19 are, "SHALL TURN", -"SHALL" is a word of controlled action and means "what had to be atoned for", or "its will being used in other persons".

"Turn" is "to put into circular movement", or "to cause to move or be directed differently".

Therefore, Agricola's "reason" for this "controlled action" of "turning", caused him to be directed differently, then "he" had been doing for 7 years in Britain as governor. This action we gradually see reader as each prophetic word is undone! Verse 19 of Daniel says, "THEN HE SHALL TURN HIS FACE TOWARD THE FORT OF HIS OWN LAND".

The "FACE" of Agricola is now turning around, towards Rome, the "FORT" of his own land.

When one turns "TOWARDS" something, one is being "ready to do -or- learn", it is to be "pliable and docile" in the "direction one is told" to go.

This action of Agricola is a typical example of this man's praiseworthy Roman character, as we read of in secular history. Daniel has shown us in a few simple words, what we have already learned of the nature and ruling power of this governor of Britain and in what respect he had held Rome's glory.

Agricola was born in Rome and it was his "Land", his nobility was forged there and he would most certainly answer this new Emperor Domitian recall, to that "fort Rome", for any reason!

Agricola was as far North, while in the British Isles as he could go at that time. His face was turned inward to the problems within the Isles, with his back to Rome across the Channel. So, he would have had to turn himself around in more ways than one to face the knowledge that he was once more recalled to Rome, his "own land". Though he had spent such a long time in Britain, which was indeed most of his army life, through the times and reign of 4 Emperors. Agricola must have felt much apprehension leaving Britain to return to the "fortress" of his homeland Rome and to an Emperor whom he had learned, had struck terror into the hearts of the Roman aristocracy with savage oppression to whose class, he himself belonged.

We go now to the other half of Daniel 11:19. "BUT HE SHALL STUMBLE AND FALL, AND NOT BE FOUND".

Secular history tells us that the Emperor Domitian had been fighting with his legions on Rhine and Danube in Germany. Having had great victories, returning to Rome to be honoured in the usual fashion.

Agricola now recalled to Rome outshone Domitian however, being honoured for his immense victories over Britain. Agricola received the customary honours that of a triumphant entry into Rome. The formal rank with ceremonial robes and a statue in Rome adorned with the Laurel wreath.

Now we come again to biblical history of Daniel and to undo these simple words for Agricola's future. "BUT HE SHALL STUMBLE AND FALL AND NOT BE FOUND". When one "stumbles" as verse 19 says, it is to trip in walking or running, to take a false step and to find difficulties, it is to fall into evil or error as a blunder.

To "FALL" is to sink from a higher to a low position, to recede and depart, to prostrate oneself in worship or supplication, or decline in power and greatness, to come to an end or die by violence. All these translations of the 2 words "Stumble and Fall" fit the end of both Agricola's life and the Emperor Domitian's treatment of him. Secular history gives us a few different interpretations of the close of Agricola's life in Rome. But what is clear is, Domitian's jealousy of Agricola's success, which had led to his recall to Rome and ultimate death. Domitian being fully aware how his own father Vespasian, had been a successful popular army Commander, had taken the throne of Rome, after the chaos of Nero's reign and death.

Here now was also Agricola held in high regard in the army and Domitian suspicious that perhaps one day Agricola would make an attempt to become Emperor. So, he set in motion the means by which he would "retire" Agricola altogether from public life, though Agricola was only 44 years old.

Agricola was given an audience with Domitian who received him with a kiss in the Roman manner. But that was all he was likely to get to cement his glory, neither was he re-employed as a General in the army. It was a customary courtesy in these situations to have given him a governorship of another country, neither did this eventuate. Agricola was the senior Consul in line for the ruling of Asia, which again was usually given to one in Agricola's position, yet, he was warned not to apply for it! After serving strenuously for 14 years of his life, his retirement into almost obscurity was his payment. It was a terrible crushing anticlimax to his earlier years of serving Rome well, through the years of 4 Emperors with loyalty and modestly. Indeed, Daniel's words were held in place and fulfilled to the letter of prophetic law. Agricola climbed so high in his life almost knocking on the door of the throne of Rome, only to meet "evil" in Domitian and "decline in power and greatness", because of "finding difficulties" in his "new state", without purpose or future to fulfil the rest of his life.

When Daniel 11:19 says, "AND NOT BE FOUND". It is to be unable to lay a base, or foundation to build on, or establish oneself again.

As I said earlier on, there are differing opinions as to what became of Agricola after his retirement into obscurity, -or- "NOT BE FOUND". Some scholars say Agricola was "safer" hidden in retirement from the plotting Domitian, having brought a reign of terror in the last years of his life. The anger seen with Tacitus the Roman historian, was in the fact that Agricola felt great disappointment that his extensive work in Britain had not been finished and he was still an able man at 44 years old.

Some historians say he lived quietly and comfortably as a rich Roman in his villa and still on friendly terms with his Emperor. While others say he died in poverty and neglect, or died at the hands of an unknown poisoner in 93 AD, or poisoned at the orders of jealous Emperor Domitian, or he died of some sort of enteric disorder. Whatever became of Agricola or how his life ended, it remains largely guess work by today's historians. Opinions differed much, some perhaps were biased by Roman historians because of their separate loyalties during their times. This "guesswork" on secular histories part is called "NOT BE FOUND", by Daniel's foretelling of Agricola's life.

He is remembered through spiritual prophecy however, because of his great influence in the British Isles, which was being made ready in receiving more of the "House of Israel's" children.

As for the Emperor Domitian he too had his fame brought low and declining in power. He had been a despotic ruler, especially in his later years and has been denounced in the same category as Nero, Caligula and Tiberius in his later years, because they corrupted public morality.

Domitian, who had ruled from 81 to 96 AD, it is said was killed by a member of his own household. After his death the Senate refused to give him a state funeral as befits an Emperor, they also had his name removed from all public places, having been officially damned.