How Did Gnaeus Agricola Become Successful

Gnaeus Julius Agricola, born July 13, 40 A.D. and died August 23, 93 A.D., was the Roman general accountable for much of the Roman conquest of Britain. Agricola served many positions within the Roman military with astounding success; additionally, over time he worked his way up to being an influential general, then governor of Britain because he excelled through all his plights and triumphed over difficulties to claim great achievements for the Roman Empire. Agricola’s pre-military life and early military life affected his attributes and shaped his future to give the qualities for success. Before his first birthday the Emperor ordered for the death of his senator father because of his refusal to prosecute the Emperor’s second cousin, this left Agricola fatherless with only the support of his mother to nurture him to maturity and an early influential reference of what happens to those who don't obey their superiors.
Agricola was educated in Massilia and had what was considered a strange interest in philosophy, he went on to serve in the military as a tribune in Britain at the age of 18 where he served for four years before returning to Rome and marrying Domitia Decidiana.
By the age of 24 he was appointed quaestorship in Asia, at 26 he became the tribune of the plebeians and was praetor when he was only 28. This early and rapid advancement further educated him in various military and government manners while setting his trajectory high for the future. Agricola’s standing and influence grew through his alliances, as well as his own merit, and resulted in promotions that sanctioned him to accomplish significant military achievements that chiseled his memory into history. After Nero died in 68 A.D. there was conflict over the throne, when Agricola heard of Vespasian’s claim to the throne he gave Vespasian his
support. Additionally, after Vespasian claimed the throne, he promoted 29 year old Agricola to command the Legio XX Valeria Victrix stationed in Britain. Agricola was able to exhibit his military skills during the campaigns against the Brigantes. His command ended after 6 years when he became governor of Gallia Aquitania for 2 years before being recalled to Rome. In Rome he was elected surrogate consul and his daughter Julia married Tacitus, who wrote Agricola’s biography, De vita et moribus Iulii Agricolae, and is how most information about Agricola is known. A year after going to Rome at the age of 38, Agricola returned to govern Britain for a third time and completed his most noteworthy accomplishments. Moreover, Agricola developed a positive reputation because of his command, he romanized the native britons and effectively secured prosperity in the region. He successfully led armies to conquer more land such as Caledonia; his true militaristic gifts shone through in his strategy, in the Battle of Mons Graupius in 84 A.D. Agricola led his men to victory suffering only 360 deaths while the caledonians lost over 10,000. Consequently, when Agricola was 45, Tacitus claims that Domitian ordered his recall to Rome because Agricola’s achievements in Britain were more significant and overshadowed the Emperor’s mild victories in Germany. Agricola was recognized with many accolades and the high honor of a statue before his peaceful death in 93 A.D. at the age of 53. Agricola was a significant roman leader during this time through his military victories, regional expansion, and successful romanization of Britain. Additionally, he was highly regarded for his achievements and some considered his feats comparable to the Emperor’s. He was influential because he achieved what no one else could, excelling through challenges to claim achievements for the Roman Empire.