Most of the historical works written by the Romans disappeared long ago. But while other books were lost, Tacitus' works survived--though, sometimes, just barely. Can you guess why this might later figures thought the works of Tacitus worth preserving? Please read the first few paragraphs of Tacitus' Histories, and see if you can find a line or two that explains the appeal of Tacitus and his approach to history.
Monday, November 17, 2014
Selections from Tacitus' Histories (Extra Credit)
Most of the historical works written by the Romans disappeared long ago. But while other books were lost, Tacitus' works survived--though, sometimes, just barely. Can you guess why this might later figures thought the works of Tacitus worth preserving? Please read the first few paragraphs of Tacitus' Histories, and see if you can find a line or two that explains the appeal of Tacitus and his approach to history.
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One line that I think explains the appeal of Tacitus and his approach to history is, "I think it proper, however, before I commence my purposed work, to pass under review the condition of the capital, the temper of the armies, the attitude of the provinces, and the elements of weakness and strength which existed throughout the whole empire, that so we may become acquainted, not only with the vicissitudes and the issues of events, which are often matters of chance, but also with their relations and their causes." Tacitus didn't just want to explain the things that happened. He wanted to explain why all of those things happened. I think people would have liked the fact that he didn't just want to talk about one group of people but that he wanted to get into the 'temper of the armies' and the 'attitude of the provinces' as well, that he wanted to talk about the strengths and weaknesses that existed throughout the entire empire in order to better understand the cause of the things that happened.
ReplyDeleteMallory Schlechter