Annals

A compelling new translation of a vital account of Roman history

With clarity and vivid intensity, Tacitus's Annals recounts the pivotal events in Roman history from the years shortly before the death of Augustus to the death of Nero in 68 AD, including the reign of terror under the corrupt Tiberius, the great fire of Rome during the time of Nero, and the wars, poisonings, scandals, conspiracies, and murders that were part of imperial life. Despite Tacitus's claim that they were written objectively, the Annals is sharply critical of the emperors' excesses and fearful for the future of imperial Rome, while also filled with a longing for its past glories.

Undeniably one of Rome's most important historians, Tacitus was also one of its most gifted. The Agricola is both a portrait of Julius Agricola-the most famous governor of Roman Britain and Tacitus's respected father-in-law-and the first known detailed portrayal of the British Isles. In the Germania, Tacitus focuses on the warlike German tribes beyond the Rhine, often comparing the behavior of "barbarian" peoples favorably with the decadence and corruption of Imperial Rome.

Cynthia Damon teaches at the University of Pennsylvania.

1. The Life and Works of Tacitus

2. What Tacitus Inherited

3. Tacitus on Empire and Emporers

4. Tacitus and the World

5. The Style of Tacitus: Translator's Note

Imperial Rome

Part One: Tiberius

1. From Augustus to Tiberius (Bk, I. 1-15)

2. Mutiny on the Frontiers (I. 16-49)

3. War with the Germans (I. 49-II. 26)

4. The First Treason (II. 27-52)

5. The Death of Germanicus (II. 52-III. 19)

6. Tiberius and the Senate (III. 19-76)

7. Partner of My Labours (IV, V) 8. The Reign of Terror (VI)

Part Two: Claudius and Nero

9. The Fall of Messalina (XI)

10. The Mother of Nero (XII)

11. The Fall of Agrippina (XIII, I-XIV. 13)

12. Nero and his Helpers (XIV. 14-65)

13. Eastern Settlement (XV. 1-32)

14. The Burning of Rome (XV. 32-47)

15. The Plot (XV. 48-74)

16. Innocent Victims (XVI)

List of Roman Emporers

Lists of Some Eastern Monarchs

Key to Technical Terms

Key to Place-Names

Genealogical Tables

Further Reading

index of Personal Names