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Tacitus Biography

Historian

One of the greatest historians of ancient Rome, Cornelius Tacitus is a primary source for much of what is known about life the first and second centuries after the life of Jesus. His most famous works, Histories and Annals, exist in fragmentary form, though many of his earlier writings were lost to time. Tacitus is known for being generally reliable (if somewhat biased toward what he saw as Roman immorality) and for having a uniquely direct (if not blunt) writing style.

Other famous historians include Herodotus, Plutarch, Thomas Carlyle, and Barbara Tuchman.

Four Good Links

The Works of Tacitus

Online texts of most of his work

The Tacitus Home Page

Brief timeline and extensive bibliography

Ancient Rome Resources

Quick way to find further resources online

Tacitus and His Manuscripts

Obscure and detailed look at the issue of forgeries

Vital Stats

Birth

c. 55 A.D.

Birthplace

Italy

Death

c. 120

Best Known As

Ancient Roman historian

Something in Common with Tacitus