Cornelius Tacitus
Tacitus (c. 56 - 120 AD) was a Roman historian and senator, widely regarded as one of the greatest historians of the ancient world. His penetrating, tightly written accounts of the early Roman Empire are prized for their psychological insight, moral seriousness, and unforgettable portraits of power and its corruptions.
His major works, the Annals and the Histories, cover the Roman Empire from the death of Augustus through the reigns of emperors like Tiberius, Nero, and the chaos of civil war. He also wrote the Germania, a study of the Germanic tribes, and the Agricola, a biography of his father-in-law. Tacitus wrote with a famous economy of style and a sharp eye for tyranny, hypocrisy, and human weakness.
A distinguished orator and public servant, Tacitus brought a senator's experience and a moralist's judgment to his history, which remains a primary source for the early empire.
His prose is spare and powerful. Our editions present it clearly for modern readers. Read a selection free, and read or listen with a membership.
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Tacitus on Germany
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Frequently asked questions about Cornelius Tacitus
What did Tacitus write?
Tacitus's major works are the Annals and the Histories, covering the Roman Empire in the first century AD. He also wrote the Germania, describing the Germanic peoples, and the Agricola, a biography of his father-in-law, the general Agricola. The Annals is his most famous and influential work.
What are the Annals about?
The Annals chart the history of the Roman Empire from the death of the emperor Augustus in 14 AD through the reigns of Tiberius, Claudius, and Nero. Tacitus vividly portrays the intrigues, cruelties, and moral decay of imperial power, with unforgettable character studies of emperors and their courts. It is one of our most important and gripping sources for the early empire.
Why is Tacitus considered a great historian?
Tacitus combined rigorous attention to political events with profound psychological insight and a powerful moral vision, exposing the corruptions of tyranny with unmatched force. His famously compressed, epigrammatic style makes his judgments memorable and quotable. His analysis of power, propaganda, and human weakness feels strikingly modern, which is why he is still widely read and admired.
Where should I start with Tacitus?
The Agricola is short, accessible, and a good introduction to his style, blending biography and history. The Annals is his masterpiece, and its accounts of emperors like Tiberius and Nero are gripping. The Germania is a fascinating short read on the ancient Germans. Begin with the Agricola or the most famous parts of the Annals.
Is Tacitus hard to read?
His famously compressed, epigrammatic style — dense with meaning in few words — can be demanding, and older translations add to the difficulty. But his sharp portraits and dramatic narrative are gripping. A clear modern edition makes his powerful history much more approachable.
When did Tacitus live?
Tacitus lived from around 56 to 120 AD, a Roman senator and orator under several emperors. He wrote his major historical works in the early second century AD, drawing on his own experience of imperial politics. He is regarded as the greatest of the Roman historians.
Where can I read Tacitus for free?
Tacitus's works are in the public domain, and older translations are freely available. Many are in formal, dated English. Here you can read a selection free in clear modern English, and read or listen with a membership.
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