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In The Histories Cornelius Tacitus, widely regarded as the greatest of all Roman historians, describes with cynical power the murderous `year of the Four Emperors'--AD 69--when in just a few months the whole of the Roman Empire was torn apart by civil war. W.H. Fyfe's classic translation has been substantially revised and supplied with extensive historical and literary notes. The Introduction examines the subtleties of Tacitus's writing and gives the necessary political and social background.About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
How did the rapid succession of four emperors in a single year destabilize the Roman Empire and expose the fragility of its political institutions? Tacitus, a prominent Roman senator and historian, utilizes his access to imperial archives and contemporary accounts to construct a critical narrative of the civil wars of AD 69. His work serves as a diagnostic study of power, examining the corruption of the principate and the volatile nature of military loyalty during a period of extreme political transition.
What You Will Find
Scholars and historians frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the internal mechanics of the Roman Empire during the first century. Readers often note the academic density of the prose and the cynical, analytical tone that characterizes Tacitus's historical methodology.
Page Count:
368
Publication Date:
2008-07-15
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0199540705
ISBN-13:
9780199540709
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