Tacitus essays

Tacitus essays During the 1st century A.D., Rome was experiencing extreme political instability. Neither of the dynasties during the century, the Julio-Claudian and the Flavian, provided long-term stability because of the ineptitude of the emperors. Most of the emperors of the period were fearful of other family members overthrowing their reign. The emperors fear of being overthrown lead to mass executions of the royal family, which caused further political instability. Tacitus came to prominence in the political arena during this highly unstable period. Born to an upper class family, he was a senator during the reign of the last Flavian emperor, Domitian. He was fearful of the abuse of power and intimidation brought upon by Domitian. He states, The worst of our torments under Domitian was to see him with his eyes fixed upon us. Every sigh was registered against us and when we all turned pale, he did not scruple to make us marked men by a glance of his savage countenance. (98). In Tactitus writings, The Agricola In The Agricola, Tacitus reflects on the life of his father-in-law Agrippa, a Roman military commander. The story discusses Agrippas occupation of Britain, his subsequent reign, and finally his return to Rome, during the latter part of the 1st century A.D. Tacitus focuses on the struggles the Britons faced during Agricolas rule of Britain, and Agricolas struggle upon his return to Rome. In the first part of the story, the Britons attempted to fight the Roman onslaught, only to be conquered by Agricola. While numerous groups of barbarians attempted to stem the Roman charge, the opposition was brutally vanquished, and Agricola consolidated his reign. The Britons that did not attempt to halt the Roman advances were spared. ...