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Tacitus

Tacitus Quotes

Historian

Tacitus, born in 56 AD and died in 117 AD, was a renowned Roman historian of the ancient period. His works are known for their rigorous factual recording and profound critical analysis, with 'The Annals' and 'The Histories' being significant sources for the study of the early history of the Roman Empire.

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Famous Tacitus Quotes

“This I hold to be the chief office of history, to rescue virtuous actions from the oblivion to which a want of records would consign them, and that men should feel a dread of being considered infamous in the opinions of posterity, from their depraved expressions and base actions.”

Men Want Feels Should Action Opinion History Records Expression Office Chiefs Dread Virtuous Rescue Oblivion Posterity Infamous Depraved

Author:Tacitus

“Be assured those will be thy worst enemies, not to whom thou hast done evil, but who have done evil to thee. And those will be thy best friends, not to whom thou hast done good, but who have done good to thee.”

Done Evil Enemy History Worst Thee Vengeance Assured Best Friend Worst Enemy

Author:Tacitus

“No one would have doubted his ability to reign had he never been emperor.”

Ability History Reign Emperor Doubted

Author:Tacitus

“Viewed from a distance, everything is beautiful.”

Inspirational Motivational Beautiful History Distance

Author:Tacitus

“This I regard as history's highest function, to let no worthy action be uncommemorated, and to hold out the reprobation of posterity as a terror to evil words and deeds.”

Action Evil History Highest Function Regard Terror Deeds Worthy Posterity

Book:The Annals & The Histories

Source: The Annals & The Histories

“Augustus gradually increased his powers, taking over those of the senate, the executives and the laws. The aristocracy received wealth and position in proportion to their willingness to accept slavery. The state had been transformed, and the old Roman character gone for ever. Equality among citizens was completely abandoned. All now waited on the imperial command.”

States Character Law Wealth Accepting History Gone Position Citizens Slavery Command Proportion Executives Willingness Abandoned Senate Transformed Aristocracy Augustus

Author:Tacitus

“Posterity allows to every man his true value and proper honours.”

Men Giving Values History Every Man Posterity True Value

Author:Tacitus

About the Author

Born: 56
Died: 117
Known for: Historian
Quotes: 219

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Books & Sources

The Annals & The HistoriesRelated source material

The History of TacitusRelated source material

The Agricola and Germany of TacitusRelated source material

The AnnalsRelated source material

Germania by TacitusRelated source material

Tacitus on Britain and Germany: a translation of the Agricola and the GermaniaRelated source material

The HistoriesRelated source material

Agricola: De vita et moribus Iulii Agricolae- English-Latin EditionRelated source material

Strategy Six Pack 4Related source material

TacitusRelated source material

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