The Annals of Tacitus Essay - 2511 Words

Tacitus tells us in the introduction to his Annales that his intent is to â€Å"relate a little about Augustus, Tiberius, et cetera† and to in fact do so â€Å"sine ira et studio† -- without bitterness or bias.1 Experience, however, tells us that this aim is rarely executed, and that we must be all the more suspicious when it is stated outright. Throughout the Annales, Tacitus rather gives the impression that his lack of bias is evidenced by his evenhanded application of bitterness to all his subjects. But is this really the case? While Tacitus tends to apply his sarcastic wit universally – to barbarian and Roman alike – this is not necessarily evidence of lack of bias. Taking the destruction of Mona and Boudiccas revolt (roughly 14.28-37) as a†¦show more content†¦The Vergilian references continue throughout the passage. Chapter 14.31 features an unusual use of rebellio (â€Å"rebellationem†), used to describe rebelling tribes, only seen e lsewhere in the Aeneid (12.186), again in relation to the Trojans.5 Skipping ahead to the end 14.33, Tacitus describes the rebellious Britons as being uninterested in â€Å"belli commercium,† or the commerce of war, i.e., the trading and selling of hostages. This is another phrase borrowed from Vergil (Aeneid 10.532), used in fact by Aeneas in denouncing the practice. The last Aeneid reference occurs in 14.34, immediately preceding Boudiccas rallying speech which begins in 14.35: the use of exultabant to describe the Celtic armies battle strategy.6 This is a usage derived from 11.663 of the Aeneid, which describes the warrior Camilla, enemy of Aeneas, in a passage comparing her to Penthesilea and the Amazons, who actually defended Troy during the war. Tacitus reminds his reader that there is a long tradition of comparing enemies of Rome to noble allies of the past, and prepares us to see Boudicca as the heir of female warriors like Camilla and Penthesilea. While Tacitus allu sions are a relatively straightforward way of transmitting hisShow MoreRelatedWhat Are Tacitus Motivations For Writing The Annals2556 Words   |  11 PagesWhat are Tacitus reasons (both explicit and implicit) for writing The Annals? Tacitus’ motivations for writing The Annals are multifaceted. First, he was promoting the stance that the empire, despite its shortcomings, was necessary for the stability of Rome at the time. Secondly, he wanted to give an honest and fair account of Rome during the reigns of four emperors of the principate: Tiberius, Gaius, Claudius and Nero. A republic, like Rome, moves at a maddeningly slow pace. Legislation is putRead MoreComparing Suetonius And Tacitus1175 Words   |  5 PagesThe accounts of emperor Tiberius’ reign by both Suetonius and Tacitus have qualities that serve to show how differing authors viewed Tiberius in various flattering and unappealing ways by their personal reasoning and desire to preserve truth as much as possible in scope of their respective intentions to provide scholars with treatments of him that give a through picture of his traits, strengths and weaknesses. Overall, by examining both accounts of Tiberius’ reign, readers are able to form independentRead MoreBoudicca the Revolt1398 Words   |  6 Pageslargely recounted by two of the most influential Roman historians of the ancient world, Cornelius Tacitus and Cassius Dio, the British were successfully presented to be of a barbaric nature; leaving behind a legacy of destruction and massacre that resulted in military failure and brought forth little success. 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She was a direct descendant of respected Augustus and was the daughter of the most popular couple in Rome, Germanicus and Agrippina the Elder. â€Å"Agrippina’s exceptionally illustrious birth is indisputable† (Tacitus, Annals. XII.6.p.254) Her birth into the Julio-Claudian bloodline meant that Agrippina was born into wealth as her family was a noble dynasty in Rome and Germany. But most of her wealth grew with her two marriages. The combination of both her wealthRead MoreTiberius- Roman Empire1507 Words   |  7 Pagesand  Nero and the family to which they belonged. They ruled the  Roman Empire  from its formation, in the second half of the 1st century 27 BC, until AD 68, when the last of the line,  Nero, committed suicide. The ancient historical writers,  Suetonius  and  Tacitus, write from the point of view of the Roman senatorial aristocracy, and portray the Emperors in generally negative terms. The reign of Tiberius ( 42 B.C- 37 A.D) is a particularly important one for the Principate, since it was the first occasion whenRead MoreThe Roman Republic1412 Words   |  6 PagesHer use of manipulation and violence has led ancient writers, such as Tacitus, to describe her political career as inappropriate and excessive. But I will argue against these views. On the contrary, I will show that because of her political achievements, she played a positive role in advancing the Augustan principate in such a way that it was beneficial in keeping with the guise of the ideology of the Roman Republic. Tacitus’ characterization of Agrippina the Younger is terse and caustic, representingRead MoreEssay on Women’s Roles in the Epic of Beowulf1143 Words   |  5 Pagesgentleness, compassion. It is a predominantly masculine, rough and tough narrative which would only be detracted from by the presence of many women.    Chickering says that women in the poem had â€Å"all the dignity and standing they commanded in Tacitus’ day,† when they were greatly respected and sought for their sound advice (264). Queen Welhtheow wa giving such advice to King Hrothgar concerning his sons’ succession to the throne:    Accept this cup,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   my noble lordRead MoreEssay on Indigenous Religion: Druid Religion672 Words   |  3 Pagesreverence than the mistletoe, and the tree on which it grows, so that it be an oak.† (Pliny, sect. 95). A noted unique feature in the Druid religion was that they made no distinction between male and female rulers. In chapter 30 of Annals, a book of Roman history, Tacitus describes the Romans first encounters of the Druids. He describes women as â€Å"running through the ranks† and describes the Druids as â€Å"ranged in order†. For women to be included in Druidism was unique since during the height of Druidism