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Beginning at the end of Augustus' reign, Tacitus's Annals examines the rules of the Roman emperors from Tiberius to Nero (though Caligula's books are lost to us). Their dramas and scandals are brought fully under the spotlight, as Tacitus presents a catalog of their murders, atrocities, sexual improprieties, and other vices in no unsparing terms. Debauched, cruel, and paranoid, they are portrayed as being on the verge of madness. Their wars and battles, such as the war with the Parthians, are also described with the same scrutinizing intensity.

The historical writings of Tacitus offer a profound exploration of Roman history from A.D. 14 to 96, spanning thirty volumes. While many of his works have been lost‚Aîonly books 1-5 of the Histories and 1-6 and 11-16 of the Annals survive‚Aîwhat remains provides rich insights into Tacituss political and moral philosophy. He emphasized the need for strong leaders while advocating for better management of power succession and the elevation of capable individuals. Tacitus argued that the dynastic ambitions of Romes emperors led to a decline in moral and political integrity, hindering the ...

The Annals, written by Gaius Cornelius Tacitus (56c-120 CE), is regarded as one of the great literary works of history in the Roman world. Tacitus is considered by many to be the greatest of Roman historians, and The Annals is his’ outstanding achievement. Originally comprising 18 volumes...

In the pantheon of ancient men of letters, none hold a more venerated position than the Roman historian, Tacitus, venerated alike for the accuracy of his chronicles as well as for the superiority of his style. He was a writer of unexcelled genius and consummate skill. But his work fell into oblivion not long after his death, and has come down to us based on the text of a single tattered manuscript from the Middle Ages.

Dive into The Annals, the final literary masterpiece of Tacitus, as it vividly chronicles the tumultuous era that began with Augustus Caesars death in 14 AD. Though Tacitus envisioned a sweeping narrative spanning at least 16 books, much remains lost to time, including entire sections and parts of key volumes. The story reaches its climax with Tiberiuss death in book 6, while the subsequent books hint at the chaotic reigns of Caligula and Claudius. As the narrative progresses into Neros reign, we are left with tantalizing glimpses that may have concluded with his demise in June 68. ...

Immerse yourself in The Histories, a captivating historical work crafted between 110 and 100 B.C. This narrative unfolds the dramatic events of the Year of Four Emperors that followed Neros fall, chronicling the rise of Vespasian and the Flavian Dynasty through to Domitians death. Although only the first four books and 26 chapters of the fifth book have survived, they offer a striking insight into the tumultuous events of 69 and the early days of 70 A.D. The narrative is thought to extend up to Domitians demise on September 18, 96 A.D. Notably, Book 5 features a compelling ethnographic ...

In his final masterpiece, The Annals, Tacitus masterfully chronicles the tumultuous years following Augustus Caesars death in 14 AD. Although he aimed to write at least 16 books, several sections have been lost to history, including books 7-10 and parts of books 5, 6, 11, and 16. The narrative culminates with Tiberiuss death, leaving us to ponder how Tacitus would have depicted the reigns of Caligula and Claudius, leading into the dramatic events of Nero’s rule and his death in June 68 AD. Tacituss ambition for a comprehensive history of the early Empire remains unfulfilled, as he passed ...

In the rich tapestry of 75 A.D., during the sixth year of Vespasians reign, the Dialogus de Oratoribus presents a captivating exploration of the decline of oratory through an engaging dialogue. While its authorship remains a topic of debate—often linked to Tacitus, with some attributing it to Quintilian—the brilliance of this work is undeniable. It artfully investigates the reasons behind the erosion of eloquence, highlighting failures in education both at home and in academic institutions. This text serves as a concise yet profound guide to the art of rhetoric, masterfully blending ...

Join us as we delve into Tacitus final masterpiece, The Annals, which vividly recounts the chaotic era following Augustus Caesars death in 14 AD. Although Tacitus intended to write at least 16 books, several sections are tragically lost, including books 7-10. The story begins with Tiberius demise and transitions through the reigns of Caligula and Claudius, ultimately capturing the dramatic events of Neros rule, possibly extending to mid-68 AD. Regrettably, the latter half of book 16 is missing, leaving us at a crucial juncture in history. Tacitus’ untimely death cut short his ambitious works...

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the Germanic tribes as revealed by Gaius Cornelius Tacitus in his ethnographic masterpiece, *Germania*, penned around 98 AD. This engaging narrative delves into the origins and traditions of the Germanic peoples who thrived beyond the Roman Empires grasp. Following in the footsteps of renowned historians like Herodotus and Julius Caesar, Tacitus provides a vivid exploration that starts with the geography and laws of these tribes, moving on to intricate depictions of various groups, from those near Roman borders to the far-off shores of the Baltic. ...

"Dem römischen Historiker Tacitus ist es zu "verdanken“, dass die barbarischen Ethnien jenseits des nördlichen römischen Imperiums erstmals in dem Sammelbegriff "Germanen“ zusammengefasst worden sind. Historisch nachgewiesen ist inzwischen, dass die Germanen zwar als Ethnie kurzzeitig existiert haben (wahrscheinlich, weil sie aufgrund der fehlenden Schriftsprache keine bessere oder andere Idee hatten wie sie ihre kleine Dörfer-Ansammlung nennen sollten), aber lediglich eine kleine unbedeutende Ethnie darstellten."

Publius Cornelius Tacitus (c. 56 to c. 120 AD) was a senator and a historian of the Roman Empire, and considered to be one of the greatest Roman historians. Five works ascribed to Tacitus have survived. The surviving portions of his two major works, the Annals and the Histories span the history of the Roman Empire from the death of Augustus, in 14 AD, to the years of the First Jewish-Roman War, in 70 AD.

Two works by the Roman historian, Tacitus. Agricola is a portrait of Julius Agricola, a governor of Roman Britain, and the first surviving account of the geography, climate, and peoples of Britain. The German tribes of Northern Europe are discussed in Germania.

In Germania, Roman historian Tacitus presents an impressive history of Germanic tribes and their societies. He dives deep, discussing everything from their ancestry to their government. The work also explores the similarities and differences between the values and customs of Roman and Germanic societies. Germania is a monumental ethnographic work that provides fascinating insight into early Germanic cultures and Roman attitudes toward them.

In Dialogue on Orators, Tacitus presents a conversation about the art and philosophy of rhetoric. Four characters discuss the merits and pitfalls of oration and poetry, debating one another’s point of view. With this text, Tacitus follows in the tradition and structure of Cicero, the great orator. It marks a distinct change in style from Tacitus’ longform historical works, Germania and Agricola.

Agricola, also known as The Life and Character of Julius Agricola, serves as the main historical source for information about this notable Roman general. His son-in-law, the historian Tacitus, authored the text. He writes not just about his father-in-law’s military career and conquest of Britain, but also about cultural and geographic forces at work during this time. The portion of the original text that survives today remains an important reference for historians and history buffs alike.

Wie war es damals im rauen Germanien - gesehen aus dem Blickwinkel eines Römers? Publius Cornelius Tacitus beschreibt dies in seinem Klassiker - und wir erfahren von so mancher überraschenden Charaktereigenschaft unserer Vorfahren!

The Annals, the last and greatest achievement of Tacitus, records the history of the Julio-Claudian emperors from the death of Augustus (A.D. 14) to the reign of Nero (54–68). These are stories of mutiny and murder, of whole armies disappearing beyond the Rhine, of an unstable and gloomy frontier. Tacitus brings us Nero himself, whose reign saw the burning of Rome and the mass slaughter of Christians, and whose vices still captivate and startle us with their imagination and cruelty.

These three vibrant texts show different sides of the Roman historian Tacitus (c56–c102 CE), best known for his principal (and much longer) legacies of The Annals and The Histories. Agricola was a successful general and governor of Britain (77-83CE), a task which he carried out with firmness...

The Annals, Part 2 picks up in the year A.D. 32 with the increasingly menacing and tyrannical behavior of Tiberius. With hundreds murdered or driven to suicide and many more in exile, Tiberius descends steadily into growing lust and debauchery on his private estate on the isle of Capri. Overseas, Rome is victorious in her struggle with Parthia, and as Tiberius is being smothered to death in A.D. 37 by Macro, peace at last comes to the eastern frontier.