Tacitus

Franklin Library Tacitus books

The Annals and The Histories - Great Books of the Western World - 1979
The Annals of Tacitus - published in both imitation leather and quarter bound - 1982

 

Tacitus biography

Publius Cornelius Tacitus, commonly known as Tacitus, was a renowned Roman historian and senator born around 56 AD, likely in either Gallia Narbonensis or northern Italy. He lived during the tumultuous period known as the Silver Age of Latin literature, a time of significant political upheaval and cultural transformation within the Roman Empire. Tacitus' life and career are largely known through his own works, as biographical details about him are scarce. He came from a distinguished provincial family with ties to the senatorial class. Little is known about his early years, but Tacitus rose to prominence in Roman politics and administration, eventually becoming a senator under the reign of Emperor Vespasian.

Tacitus is best remembered for his historical writings, which provide invaluable insights into the politics, society, and culture of ancient Rome. His most famous works include The Histories and The Annals, both of which chronicle the reigns of the emperors from the death of Augustus in 14 AD to the death of Domitian in 96 AD. The Annals covers the period from the death of Augustus to the reign of Nero, while The Histories picks up where The Annals left off, focusing on the Year of the Four Emperors and the subsequent reigns of the Flavian emperors Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian. Tacitus' narrative style is marked by its vividness, eloquence, and moral purpose, as he sought to expose the corruption and tyranny of the Roman imperial system.

In addition to his historical works, Tacitus also wrote several treatises on oratory and rhetoric, including Dialogus de Oratoribus (Dialogue on Orators) and De Vita et Moribus Iulii Agricolae (The Life and Character of Julius Agricola), a biography of his father-in-law and Roman general Gnaeus Julius Agricola. Tacitus' writings are renowned for their critical analysis of power, corruption, and the human condition, as well as their penetrating psychological insights into historical figures. His works have had a profound influence on later historians and writers and remain essential reading for anyone interested in ancient Rome and its legacy.

Tacitus' exact date of death is unknown, but it is believed to have occurred around 120 AD. Despite the passage of time, his writings continue to captivate and inspire readers with their timeless relevance and profound understanding of human nature.