Tacitus
(A.D. 56–c. 120)

The celebrated Roman historian Publius Cornelius Tacitus lived during a period of civil unrest and moral depravity. Tacitus began his public career as a successful trial lawyer and judge, surviving the whims of arbitrary rulers by keeping his political opinions to himself and working abroad. When he returned to Rome, encouraged by the succession of a more capable ruler, Tacitus was appointed consulship in Rome and later in Asia.

He recorded observations of Rome in the Histories, which were historical works that provided invaluable depictions of people, places, and events. Another important collection, the Annals, was written in an engaging style in order to expose the lives of the four emperors who ruled after Augustus. With a definite moral objective in mind, Tacitus reveals his belief that the rule of these emperors led to the corruption, fallen virtues, lost liberties, and denied opportunities that marked the times. One example of his subjectivity is his criticism of Emperor Nero, who allegedly sang during the tragic burning of Rome. Yet, Tacitus' writing is so stirring that historians still read his work today in order to gain insight into the Roman past.

A  |  B  |  C  |  D  |  E  |  F  |  G  |  H  |  I  |  J  |  K  |  L  |  M
N  |  O  |  P  |  Q  |  R  |  S  |  T  |  U  |  V  |  W  |  X  |  Y  |  Z