Synopses & Reviews
A compelling new translation of a vital account of Roman history
With clarity and vivid intensity, Tacitus's Annals recounts the pivotal events in Roman history from the years shortly before the death of Augustus to the death of Nero in 68 AD, including the reign of terror under the corrupt Tiberius, the great fire of Rome during the time of Nero, and the wars, poisonings, scandals, conspiracies, and murders that were part of imperial life. Despite Tacitus's claim that they were written objectively, the Annals is sharply critical of the emperors' excesses and fearful for the future of imperial Rome, while also filled with a longing for its past glories.
Synopsis
In The Histories Cornelius Tacitus, widely regarded as the greatest of all Roman historians, describes with cynical power the murderous year of the Four Emperors'--AD 69--when in just a few months the whole of the Roman Empire was torn apart by civil war. W.H. Fyfe's classic translation has been substantially revised and supplied with extensive historical and literary notes. The Introduction examines the subtleties of Tacitus's writing and gives the necessary political and social background.
Synopsis
In AD68 Nero's suicide marked the end of the first dynasty of imperial Rome. The following year was one of drama and danger, though not of chaos.
In the surviving books of his Histories the barrister-historian Tacitus, writing some thirty years after the events he describes, gives us a detailed account based on excellent authorities. In the 'long but single year' of revolution four emperors emerge in succession: Galba, Otho, Vitellius and Vespasian - who established the Flavian dynasty.
Rhiannon Ash stays true to the spirit of Wellesley's prose whilst making the translation more accessible to modern readers.
Synopsis
In AD 68, Nero?s suicide marked the end of the first dynasty of imperial Rome. The following year was one of drama and danger, with four emperors?Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian? emerging in succession. Based on authoritative sources,
The Histories vividly recounts the details of the ?long but single year? of revolution that brought the Roman empire to the brink of collapse.
Synopsis
A compelling new translation of a vital account of Roman history
With clarity and vivid intensity, Tacitus's Annals recounts the pivotal events in Roman history from the years shortly before the death of Augustus to the death of Nero in 68 AD, including the reign of terror under the corrupt Tiberius, the great fire of Rome during the time of Nero, and the wars, poisonings, scandals, conspiracies, and murders that were part of imperial life. Despite Tacitus's claim that they were written objectively, the Annals is sharply critical of the emperors' excesses and fearful for the future of imperial Rome, while also filled with a longing for its past glories.
About the Author
Tacitus (c. 55-120), known in Rome for his impressive oratory, maintained a political career as a senator under Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian.
Kenneth Wellesley (d. 1995) was a renowned scholar and translator of ancient Roman texts.
Rhiannon Ash is a fellow and tutor in classics at Merton College, Oxford. She has published extensively on the history of ancient Rome.
Table of Contents
The Histories Introduction
Book One
1-11 The Setting of the Story
12-50 The Murder of Galba
51-90 The Vitellian Advance
Book Two
1-10 Flavian Caution
11-45 The First Battle of Cremona
46-56 Otho's Suicide
57-73 Vitellius in Northern Italy
74-86 Vespasian Emperor
87-101 Rome Under Vitellius
Book Three
1-35 The Second Battle of Cremona
36-48 A World Convulsed
49-86 The March on Rome
Book Four
1-11 A Divided Senate
12-37 Civilis Revolts
38-53 The New Year, A.D. 70
54-80 The Rhineland Recovered
81-86 Signs and Wonders
Book Five
1-13 The Jews
14-26 The Collapse of Civilis
Bibliography
Key to Technical Terms
Key to Place-Names
Maps
index of Personal Names