Men who are afraid hate those who inspire this feeling in them

Men who are afraid hate those who inspire this feeling in them. Isocrates. Antidosis. Speech 15. Section 122.

Note: In 85 CE, Agricola was recalled to Rome by Domitian, having served for more than six years as governor, longer than normal for consular legates during the Flavian era. Tacitus claims that Domitian ordered his recall because Agricola's successes outshone the Emperor's own modest victories in Germania. The relationship between Agricola and the Emperor is unclear: on the one hand, Agricola was awarded triumphal decorations and a statue, on the other, Agricola never again held a civil or military post in spite of his experience and renown. He was offered the governorship of the province of Africa but declined it, either due to ill health or, as Tacitus claims, the machinations of Domitian.

Image: Agricola in a detail of the frieze from the Great Hall in the National Galleries Scotland by Willam Brassey Hole, 1897. (PD)