Annals 15 has long been in sore want of a standalone commentary. Translated by michael grant and first published in this form in 1956. Of sixteen books at least, there survive books iiv covering the years 1428. Others found the explanation in a private compact stipulating that, if hostilities were suspended on both sides and vologeses withdrew, tigranes. The first political commentary on tacitus 2014 richard carrier the prospect of a christian interpolation in tacitus, annals 15.
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. The first political commentary on tacitus the journal of. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Tacitus wrote the annals in at least 16 books, but books 710 and parts of books 5, 6, 11 and 16 are missing the period covered by the histories written before the annals. On this occasion i shall keep the books because i need to use them. The annals was tacitus final work and provides a key source for modern understanding of the history of the roman empire from the beginning of the reign of tiberius in ad 14 to the end of the reign of nero, in ad 68. The power of the decemvirs did not last beyond two years, nor was the consular jurisdiction of the military tribunes of long duration. The annals was tacitus final work, covering the period from the death of augustus caesar in the year 14. Augustus, a colossal figure in roman history, died in 14 ce, and this is when tiberius. The set text carries on for a bit, covering the end of ad 62 and the beginning of ad 63 15. The annals by tacitus translated by alfred john church and william jackson brodribb book i a. Tacitus, suetonius, and the historical jesus biblical.
Tacitus account of neros principate is an extraordinary piece of historical writing. Oxford university press, 1958 reprinted in 1985 by the same publisher, with the isbn 0198143273 is the definitive study of his life and works. Although many of the works were lost only books 1 5 of the histories and 1 6 and 1116 of the annals survive, enough remains to provide a good sense of tacituss political and moral philosophy. Cornelius tacitus, the annals alfred john church, william jackson brodribb, ed. The first political commentary on tacitus volume 37 issue 1 2 arnaldo momigliano. As tony woodman has shown in his seminal article neros alien capital. A philological commentary on tacitus, annals 14, 1 54. I was given a refund and told that there were no other copies. The volume rounds off the sequence which began with commentary on books 1 and 2 of tacitus annals by f. 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. Cornelius tacitus wrote his history of the roman empire from the death of augustus a. The internet classics archive the annals by tacitus.
Andersons edition, first published in 1938, was designed to replace that of furneaux and to take particular account of the light thrown by archaeology on tacituss account of the germanic peoples. 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. This book offers a portion of the original latin text, study aids with vocabulary. Book 1 book ii book iii book iv book v book vi book xi book xii book xiii book xiv book xv book xvi chapter. Diverse subjects are treated, but certain themes predominate. The term variorum refers to a compilation made with the notes of various editors, cum notis variorum. He recognized the necessity for strong rulers but argued that more should be done to manage the succession of power and allow for the ascension of. Crossreferences to this page 5 dictionary of greek and roman. Annals, by tacitus, was a difficult read more like reading the jottings in someones notebook. Tacitus account of it began in the previous paragraph 15. Textual problems are sometimes discussed, but only when they can be illuminated by points of usage. Tacitus introduces his themes and most of the major players at the beginning.
His graphic narrative including annals xv is one of the highlights. Annals book xv cambridge greek and latin classics tacitus on. Overall, this books exuberant and playful approach to tacitus. It is so thorough an edition, it has never been replaced, and is reprinted now. Frank frost abbott, commentary on selected letters of cicero, letter xxxiv. The annals are tacitus brilliant account of roman imperial history from the death of augustus to the death of nero. Owens and gildenhards commentary will be of interest to students of latin at a2. The notes were selected and assembled by undergraduates at the university of pennsylvania during the academic year 201516, then vetted, edited, and occasionally supplemented by me see further below. However, i found the history had more depth since tacitus. His graphic narrative including annals xv is one of the highlights of the greatest surviving historian of the. Translated by alfred john church and william jackson brodribb. A philological commentary on tacitus, annals 14, 154. He outlines the history of tacitean scholarship to the present day and shows how.
Rhiannon ash fellow and tutor in classics, merton college, oxford university discusses tacitus annals book 15 of interest to students studying ocr a2 lev. Tacituss germania has been an abiding interest for all who study the roman world from a northern european perspective. His annals and histories are a panorama of first century rome, from tiberius to domitian. His graphic narrative including annals xv is one of the highlights of the greatest surviving historian of the roman empire. His prose style is in the first tier of latin writers. Designed to stretch and stimulate readers, owens and gildenhards commentary will be of interest to students of latin at a2 and undergraduate level. Annals books 16, translated by john jackson, loeb classical library 322 cambridge, ma. The commentary deals only with stylistic and linguistic matters. Book 6 ends with the death of tiberius and books 712 presumably covered the reigns of caligula and claudius. The first in a fourvolume edition of tacitus annals 1 6. Rhiannon ash tacitus account of neros principate is an extraordinary piece of historical writing. He wrote at least 16 books, but books 710 and parts of books 5, 6, 11 and 16 are missing. Goodyear 1972, 1981 and was continued by commentary on book 3 by a. The annals of tacitus with a commentary by the rev.
The announcement is part of his selffashioning as a muckraker above partisan. We parachute right into the middle of a meeting of the roman senate that took place towards the end of the year 62 15. His graphic narrative including annals xv is one of the highlights of the. The remainder of book 15 chapters 4874 covers the conspiracy of piso in ad 65, which developed in part as a reaction to the rumour that nero himself. Professor goodyears introduction to the series deals concisely with the background to the annals. This book offers a portion of the original latin text, study aids with vocabulary, and a commentary. His graphic narrative including annals xv is one of the highlights of the greatest.
In comparison with the price of most such editions, this text and commentary in the green and yellow series should be in the bargain basement section, except there is nothing basement about. The annals by tacitus translated by alfred john church and william jackson brodribb book xvi a. We do not have a complete account of either the annals or the histories, but what has been preserved. Review of striking prodigies that occurred in ad 62 iii 23. Latin text, study aids with vocabulary, and commentary. Literal interlinear translation with vocabulary and grammar introduction. It describes how the imperial system survived neros flamboyant and hedonistic. Part of a complete english translation of the annals. Tacitus presents a vivid picture of the highwater point of the roman empire, and does not gloss over the toxic corruption and brutality of the time. Also tacitus uses multiple names for the same person or one name for multiple personalities in a family. Freedom and the consulship were established by lucius brutus.