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Emperor Constantine rebuilt the city in the early 4th century and placed the province back into the
system adopted by Diocletian, in which Numidia, Tripolitania, 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. 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.-14 A.D.). 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.), the Roman Republic seized all
of the city's holdings and created the new province. See also AFRICA.
¤ AGRICOLA, GNAEUS JULIUS (40-93 A.D.) The general and governor of Britain (78-85); one of
the most successful military men of his era, responsible for imprinting Britain thoroughly with Roman
culture. Agricola 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 Agricolas career, which was swift and productive. 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 considered him
reliable, and in 78 he became 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 A.D., 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).