Tacitus (c. 56 A.D - c. 117 A.D)
One of the most famous historians that ever lived (and my personal favorite author), he came from provincial origins to an aristocratic family in Gallia Narbonensis. Originally studying to be a rhetorician along with Pliny the Younger with Quintillian, he married Julia, the daughter of the senator, Gnaeus Julius Agricola (later became the governor of Britannia). Even with an elevated status, Tacitus himself was an able politician. He held the office of quaestor in 81 A.D, praetor in 88 A.D, and finally becoming consul (suffectus) in 97 A.D. Tacitus became a novus homo and was the last one in the Roman Empire. He gave the funeral orations of his predecessor and veteran general, Lucius Verginius Rufus. Tacitus was well known for his eloquence in oratory and prose (which makes him such a good historian author), although he was given an ironic nickname (Tacitus - meaning silent). He later gave up public life for his literary endeavors, returning during Trajan's reign as governor of Anatolia (Asia). He died c. 117 A.D. His alleged descendant was the elderly senator that became emperor in 275 A.D, Marcus Claudius Tacitus.
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Basic Info |
Full Name:
Publius (or Gaius) Cornelius Tacitus Born: c. 56 A.D | Gallia Narbonensis Died: c. 117 A.D (aged 61-62) | Unknown |
Works |
Tacitus wrote primarily about histories, but he also dabbles in oratory and rhetoric. His works include:
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