In his later years he became interested in writing an unbiased account of those times, starting his account just before tiberius came to the throne. The roman historian and senator tacitus referred to christ, his execution by pontius pilate, and the existence of early christians in rome in his final work, annals written ca. The electronic text version of this translation comes from. The internet classics archive the annals by tacitus. Mystery author of forgotten tacitus translation turns out. Having read and enjoyed harold mattinglys excellent 1949 translation of tacituss agricola and germania, i know it is possible to render tacitus into good modern english.
Aug 17, 2009 the cover and back cover were the correct cover for the histories by tacitus. Tacitus on boudiccas revolt ancient history encyclopedia. Literal interlinear translation with vocabulary and grammar introduction. Cornelius tacitus, the annals alfred john church, william jackson brodribb, ed. The project gutenberg ebook of the histories, by tacitus, translated. Damons translation but the book is easy to read and sucks you into the roman world. Cornelius tacitus, the annals, book xiv, chapter 31.
While one can never put a writing into the authors context in translation, this comes remarkably close. Books by tacitus author of the annals of imperial rome. Tacitus annals is a powerful and darkly humorous examination of imperial rome. Sadly, dr damon lacks that basic writing skill or has failed to realise that translation requires it. Dictionary of greek and roman geography 1854, roma. Translation based on alfred john church and william jackson brodribb 1876. The purpose of this project is to look at tacituss annals book 4 to see how the latin works at its basic level of word, grammar, syntax, that is, the basic mechanics that would be of interest to a student of latin. It is worth bearing in mind that tacitus composed the annals after a long public. Tacitus is renowned for his development of a pregnant concise style, character study, and psychological analysis, and for the often terrible story. No other translation captures more successfully the flavor, nuance, and power of tacitus greatest work. The power of the decemvirs did not last beyond two years, nor was the consular jurisdiction of the military tribunes of long duration. The electronic text of their translation of annals and history, as well as the latin etext of all of tacitus, were already available. Arto labor collection tacitus annals book 4 translation. He wrote at least sixteen books, but books 710 and parts of books 5, 6, 11 and 16 are missing.
Annales by roman historian and senator tacitus is a history of the roman empire from the reign of tiberius to that of nero, the years ad 1468. Among his works are the germania, describing the germanic tribes, the historiae histories, concerning the roman empire from ad 69 to 96, and the later. The context of the passage is the sixday great fire of rome that burned much of the city in ad 64 during the reign of roman emperor nero. It begins with the death of the first emperor augustus 27 bcad 14, and. The annals tacitusbook 14 wikisource, the free online library. Nov 29, 2012 a compelling new translation of tacitus annals, one of the greatest accounts of ancient rome, by cynthia damon. But they are not recommended to share his contempt for tacitus because his accounts of warfare are as bad as, for. Although many of the works were lost only books 15 of the histories and 16 and 1116 of the annals survive, enough remains to provide a good sense of tacituss political and moral philosophy. Length of power had matured his daring, and his passion for poppaea daily grew more ardent. I am unable to say if the style is tacitus himself or ms. In the following passages tacitus gives an account of the iceni queen boudiccas revolt against rome, 6061 ce.
Tacitus uses a year to year chronology, the first ancient author to do so i believe, so his stories flow seamlessly. I just now finished a series and grabbed this book off the shelf and took it on vacation. Tacitus has 466 books on goodreads with 43001 ratings. It had its origin among the parthians, who disdained as a foreigner a king whom they had sought and received from rome, though he was of the family of the arsacids. The historical works of tacitus are a history of the period from a. At last, after five days, an end was put to the conflagration at the foot of the esquiline hill, by the destruction of all buildings on a vast space, so that the violence of the fire was met by clear ground and an open sky. Tacitus, roman orator and public official, probably the greatest historian and one of the greatest prose stylists who wrote in the latin language. Mystery author of forgotten tacitus translation turns out to be elizabeth i. In the year of the consulship of caius vipstanus and caius fonteius. Though most has been lost, what remains is an invaluable record of the era. Publius or gaius cornelius tacitus was a roman historian and politician. Hendersons civil war and rebellion in the roman empire, a delightful book which makes the dark places plain. We deliver the joy of reading in 100% recycled packaging with free standard shipping on u.
Of sixteen books at least, there survive books iiv covering the years 1428. This he would remind people was a royal custom, and had been the practice of ancient chiefs. Augustus, a colossal figure in roman history, died in 14 ce, and this is when tiberius. Tacituss most popular book is the annals of imperial rome. Part of a complete english translation of the annals. Meanwhile this book, intended to do honour to agricola, my fatherinlaw, will, as an expression of filial regard, be commended, or at least excused. Tacitus grew up during a the reign of nero, and may have been a teenager when nero died and the roman empire was plunged into civil war. He had long had a fancy for driving a fourhorse chariot, and a no less degrading taste for singing to the harp, in a theatrical fashion, when he was at dinner. Although tacitus wrote the histories before the annals, the events in the annals precede the histories. Those whose interest is not in tacitus but in the military history of the period are recommended to study mr. Book 1 book ii book iii book iv book v book vi book xi book xii book xiii book. We personally assess every books quality and offer rare, outofprint treasures. Mar 26, 20 this was my first reading of tacitus and im glad it was this one. In this book you will find a wealth of information about roman history as well as some misc.
Book 4 cambridge classical texts and commentaries by edited with introduction and notes by a. The work covers a wide range of topics concerning rome, and provides a clear sense of what tacitus thought and was trying to achieve with his writings. Cornelius tacitus, the annals, book xiv, chapter 14. Thriftbooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. Book 4 translation based on alfred john church and william jackson brodribb 1876. I ordered and received this book over 18 months ago so im guessing a refund is out of the question. Tacitus definition of tacitus by the free dictionary. This book offers a portion of the original latin text, study aids with vocabulary, and a commentary. Tacitus cornelius, famous roman historian, was born in 55, 56 or 57 ce. Book 14 the need to destroy agrippinas influence, followed swiftly by her permanent removal, opens the book, and the murder of octavia ends it. As the woman had no hope of marriage for herself or of octavias divorce while agrippina lived, she would. Jan 18, 2012 tacitus full name, publius gaius cornelius tacitus, ca.
Yet we shall not regret that we have told, though in language unskilful and unadorned, the story of past servitude, and borne our testimony to present happiness. The annals, tacitus final work, covers the period from the death of augustus caesar in 14 ad. Tacitus ad 56117, a roman senator and acclaimed orator, was also romes greatest historian. The annals tacitusbook 3 wikisource, the free online library. Furthermore, in agricola, an oration on his fatherinlaws life, tacitus holds ups a mirror of virtue by which one can see the corruption and degeneracy of the current roman emperor in particular and roman elites in general. In the year of the consulship of caius vipstanus and caius fonteius, nero deferred no more a long meditated crime. Tacitus provides an interesting ethnography of both britons and germans, none of which is complementary to the romans. The annals are an important source for modern understanding of the history of the roman empire during the 1st century ad. Translated by alfred john church and william jackson brodribb. The project gutenberg ebook of the histories, by tacitus. In the gallic provinces, an assessment14 was held by quintus volusius. Dictionary of greek and roman geography 1854, trinobantes. In neros fourth consulship with cornelius cossus for his colleague, a theatrical entertainment to be repeated every five years was established at rome in imitation of the greek festival. Tacitus synonyms, tacitus pronunciation, tacitus translation, english dictionary definition of tacitus.