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, October 6, 2025
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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As I started reading Tacitus' The Histories, I felt drawn to continue. He writes about virtue and nobility, odiousness and profligacy, and truth and falsity. These values bring life to the words. Modern textbooks fall short as they intentionally remove these things so as not to sound judgmental.
ReplyDeleteTacitus' tells it like it is. He also honors the common people when they do honorable things and points out their misdeeds to show us how we should not act. See this beautiful quote from his work.
"Yet the age was not so barren in noble qualities, as not also to exhibit examples of virtue. Mothers accompanied the flight of their sons; wives followed their husbands into exile; there were brave kinsmen and faithful sons in law; there were slaves whose fidelity defied even torture; there were illustrious men driven to the last necessity, and enduring it with fortitude; there were closing scenes that equalled the famous deaths of antiquity" (paragraph 3).
These aren't the rulers of the day he is referring to in this section. These are ordinary men and women who knew mankind's common duty to be virtuous and instead of shirking their responsibility, they accepted it.
I think people are searching for more examples like them, and that's why Tacitus' work is still preserved today.