Placed on the throne while in Carthage, the legions revolted, in 238 C. E., and ousted the briefly reigning emperor, who probably killed himself rather than die at their hands. As a result, gordian iii disbanded the legion. In 308, Domitius Alexander, the prefect of Africa, led a revolt from Carthage and threatened the vital corn supply The prefect of the Guard, Rufius Volusianus, was sent to Africa and crushed the uprising, destroying much of Carthage in the process.
Emperor Constantine rebuilt the city in the early fourth century and placed the province back into the system adopted by Diocletian, in which Numidia, Tripolita-nia, Mauretania, and Byzacena were all under the diocese of Africa. Such widening made the province susceptible to even more troubles, as the invasion of the Vandals in 429 demonstrated. Defenses were never strong, as the Moors and other tribes had been easily quelled. The mountainous and desert-like regions made fortifications and permanent limes construction difficult, resulting in a province of great wealth that was unable to defend itself.
Africa Nova The Roman province in Africa created in 46 B. C.E. by Julius Caesar, following the battle of thapsus. The province was carved out of the kingdom of numidia. During the reign of Augustus, it was added to Africa Vetus to form the larger province of Africa Proconsularis.
Africa Proconsularis The combination of the two
Provinces of Africa Nova and Africa Vetus during the reign of Augustus (27 B. C.E.-14 C. E.).
See also Africa.
Africa Vetus A Roman province in northern Tunisia, governed by a praetor from its capital at Utica. After Carthage fell to the war engines of Scipio Africanus (146
B. C.E.), the Roman Republic seized all of the city’s holdings and created the new province.
See also Africa.
Agricola, Gnaeus Julius (40-93 c. e.) General and governor of Britain (78-85)
Agricola was one of the most successful military men of his era, responsible for imprinting Britain thoroughly with Roman culture. He was the son of Julius Graecinus and Julia Procilla. Graecinus was killed by Emperor Gaius Caligula, and the Lady Julia was murdered by Emperor Otho’s troops. But the deaths of his parents had little effect on Agricola’s career, which was swift. Agricola served as a tribune in Britain, as quaestor in Asia in 64, as legate in Britain from 71 to 73, as legate of Aquitania from 74 to 77, and as consul in 77.
This last posting was made by the Emperor Vespasian, who favored the able officer and in 78 named him the governor of Britain.
Agricola’s campaigns were brilliantly executed, and he Romanized much of the province and extended
Roman influence well into Scotland. He conquered North Wales, the Tay, Newstead, Forth, and Clyde, penetrating deep into the Grampian Mountains and into Caledonia. Finally, Agricola’s fleet sailed around Britain, a remarkable feat. In 85 C. E., having served there for seven years, Agricola was recalled by Domitian. Agricola married Domitia Decidiana, and his daughter married the historian Tacitus, who provided detailed information about the man and his campaigns in Agricola.
See also Britannia (1).
Agriculture See economy and farming.
World History
