Publius Cornelius Tacitus (l. c. 56 - c. 118 CE) was a Roman historian, active throughout the reign of Trajan (r. 98-117 CE) and the early years of Hadrian (r. 117-138 CE). His best-known works are Histories and Annals, which cover the history of the empire from the time of the Julio-Claudians to the reign of Domitian (r. 81-96 CE). Although best known for his historical writings, he also had a long public career, serving as a quaestor in 81 CE, praetor in 88 CE, a tribune of the plebs, a consul in 97 CE, and proconsul of Asia from 112-113 CE.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original definition at https://www.worldhistory.org/tacitus/.
Join the Conversation
- Do you think Tacitus was fair when he criticized Roman emperors?
- Why do you think Tacitus described the Germanic tribes as better than the Romans?
- Do you agree with Tacitus that history should praise good acts and condemn bad ones?
Is there anything you'd like to ask me about this definition? Ask away — and if you spot something that should be covered, that's useful to know too.