1. Alex Nice L’École Européenne II (Woluwé) 10 September 2010

2. Gaius or Publius, which we do not know for certain, Cornelius Tacitus. Born AD 56 or 57. Cisalpine Gaul Studied rhetoric in Rome c. 75. In 77 married the daughter of, Cn. Julius Agricola (consul and governor of Britain). Quaestor AD 81-82. Praetor AD 88. Quindecimvir Sacris Faciundis AD 88. Legionary Legate AD 89-91. Governor of a minor province AD 92. Consul in 97. Begins publishing careers AD 98. Governed Western Anatolia or Asia, as proconsul from 112- 113.

4. AD 98. Publishes Agricola and Germania. Agricola a biography of his father-in-law and indictment of the Emperor Domitian. Germania. An ethnography of the German tribes. c. AD 102. Publishes Dialogus de Oratoribus. A slightly tongue-in-cheek work on the art of oratory. Post-AD 102. Historiae. A history of the Roman Empire from AD 68-96. c. 115 AD. Annales. A history of the Roman Empire from AD 14-68.

5. Oratorical and philosophical background Served in courts throughout his career Gallic background, connections to Agricola Political career advances under Domitian and Nerva Friendship with Pliny the Younger, also connected to Suetonius Tranquillus, the biographer

6. Published c. 115 The second of his major historical works Deals with period AD 14-68 Reigns of the Julio-Claudian Emperors Probably in 18 books (sets of 6). Only have books 1-part of 5; 6; 11-16. Information supplemented by Dio Cassius’ great history of Rome and Suetonius Tranquillus, Lives of the Twelve Caesars

7. Strongly influenced by annalistic form of Republican history writing Can see influences of Greek historian, Thucydides but also Roman historians Sallust and Livy, as well as more scurrilous style of the contemporary biographer Suetonius Tranquillus. Interest in psychological motivations and morality of his leading characters. Explores contrasts freedom v. slavery; masculinity v. femininity; domestic v. foreign; war v. peace.