tacitus- characters Flashcards
(41 cards)
arminius
german
o Even wife is a hero – when being saved no submissive tears
o Defeat because arminius counsel was ignored
Ar plan was tl let romans come out and then trap them on diff swampy ground
Ignored and romans stormed on huge scale than what expecting- ‘blare of trumpets’ the gliter of weapons
augustus
o Adoptions and handing of power particular people
o Brings unity and security ‘wearied by civil srtife’ ‘subjected it to empire and the title of prince’
o His dissimulation becomes characteristic of the principate ‘out wards heow of reluctance’
o ‘simply out of ostention and a desire to win credit w posterity’
o Tactical broders either ‘out of fear or jealousy \
tiberus
- Omits Tiberius’ early military successes as a general under Augustus – Valerius Paterculus.
- Suspicion of Germanicus.
areas of character covered by seutonius neglected by annals
restricts celebrations for Augusta regarding them as a slight to himself
tiberius character omitted
no mention of his diverse literary or intellectual interests for example. We do not see how he used Gadarene Theodorus and Messalla Corvinus as models for his public speaking. We do not see his love for Greek poetry, his enthusiasm for Virgil or for Horace
tiberisu
-murder of agrippa
always hesitating and obscure
frustrations at germanicus success
nero
tiberius murder of agrippa
Murder of Agrippa Postumus (Ann. 1.6)
Tiberius claims it was done under Augustus’ orders.
But Tacitus hints otherwise: he highlights the timing and secrecy, and the fact that Augustus had recently reconciled with Agrippa.
Suggests Tiberius hides behind Augustus’ authority to mask a power consolidation.
Tacitean irony: Tiberius never gives a direct command, but his will is understood — “the silence is more eloquent than speech.”
always hesitating and obscure
(Ann. 1.7)
Describes Tiberius’ first speech as emperor to the Senate — full of deliberate ambiguity.
He offers to share power with the Senate, but in such an insincere, convoluted way that no one knows how to respond.
Tacitus criticises this indirectness as dangerous: it breeds suspicion and traps others in uncertainty.
tib attitude to germanicus sucess
nn. 2.43)
Tiberius is clearly resentful of Germanicus’ popularity and military glory.
Yet, he publicly praises him and “spoke much of his greatness.”
Hypocrisy and concealment — Tacitus presents Tiberius as emotionally duplicitous, giving public support while perhaps secretly plotting against him.
tib attitude nero
nero quaestorship met ‘not without smiles of ridicule
Tiberius pretends to honour Nero (son of Germanicus) by supporting his early career — but Tacitus notes this was met with ridicule.
Suggests Tiberius’ actions were not sincerely motivated, or that the Senate recognised them as empty gestures.
Reinforces a culture where nobody speaks plainly,
tacitean overreach
- mellor
- examples-
- gallic rebellio n
mutinies in gerany and pannonia \germanicus recalled
tib
tacitus ovverreach- tib
10 Million Sesterces to Asia (Ann. 4.13)
Tacitus calls Tiberius naturally stingy, yet he donates generously for earthquake relief.
Suggests Tacitus cherry-picks to sustain the narrative of cruelty and detachment.
mellor on tactius overreach
Mellor argues he offers a morally loaded, psychologically suspicious lens, not a balanced historical method.
He imputes sinister motives where more plausible explanations exist.
Tacitus’ Tiberius becomes too consistent — always cunning, cruel, or withdrawn — which undermines historical complexity.
tacitean overreach - gallic rebellion
Ann. 3.40)
Tacitus barely mentions the rebellion led by Florus and Sacrovir in Gaul, despite early fears.
Justified by later calm: it “had safely come and gone.”
This demonstrates Tiberius’ correct instinct to avoid panic, but Tacitus downplays this strategic restraint.
tacitean overreach- mutinies in germany and pannonia
Ann. 1.16–30)
Tiberius does not act rashly — he sends Drusus and Germanicus to resolve the crises.
Yet Tacitus presents him as paralysed, perhaps from fear or duplicity.
In reality, it may reflect caution in a fragile regime.
germanicus recalled- tacitean oevrreach
The Cherusci and the other rebel nations could be left to their internal wranglings.”
Tacitus mocks this as cynical and politically motivated.
Yet the strategic logic is sound: stabilise the East, avoid overstretch.
Later chapters validate this – the Germanic tribes tear each other apart without Roman interference.
clemens
o Agrippina former slave ‘nearly plunged’ rome ‘into the horrors of civil war’ – annals
o Pretending he was Agrippa postumus- despite Agrippa murdered- w ‘great crowds’ meeting him at ostia and at the capital
Pose yhreat as highlights tib lack of pop
outcome and impact of clemens
o Feighning of agrippina life threat tib as a key dynastic rival
Agrippina had been murderd as the ‘opening crime f he new principate ‘
o Clemens executed in a ‘secluded part of the palace’ with his body removed ‘secretly- didn’t want to start some mass movement
germanicus
- used to conrtast with tiberius
- moral and emotionally
- idealism v political niavete
- tacitean heroism
- could germanicus have been emperor
could germanicu have been emperor
Tacitus leaves this tantalisingly ambiguous.
The soldiers would have followed him; “his shoulders had shown themselves abundantly willing.”
Yet Germanicus chooses loyalty — has troops swear allegiance to Tiberius.
Tacitus may be suggesting that Germanicus lacked the ruthless ambition needed to survive under the Principate — a moral man in an immoral system.
moral and emotional contrast with tiberius
germabnicu sfunderal
germancius mourning
gemrnaicus funderal
Tiberius refuses to appear publicly, and tells the public to move on — “rulers die; the country lives forever.” Tacitus paints this as ironic: Rome has already become unrecognisable, stripped of emotional and political liberty.
germanicus mounring
pens Book 2, in a tone reminiscent of Scipio Africanus’ death, casting him in the mould of a tragic Republican hero — yet Tacitus may be mocking the public mourning as superficial under an empire where such figures no longer thrive.
idealism v political naiveté
Germanicus earns troop loyalty (Sequani, Belgic units) and public devotion, even being honoured in temples.
However, Tacitus suggests he was too soft for power:
tacitus germanicu too soft for power
His mutiny response includes melodramatic threats of suicide and ineffectual oratory — the troops remain “confounded rather than appeased.”
He permits excessive violence: killing of women and children in a raid on the Chatti; the destruction of a temple.
The blunder on the Rhine expedition (troops disembarking too early) highlights poor logistical foresight.
