Tacitus
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 emperor's 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 & The Germania, he states his views on various problems plaguing Roman society, thereby i
All of the above are in stark contrast with the Roman society of the time. Moral standards were declining. Extramarital activities, drunkenness and self-indulgences were common. Tacitus wrote The Germania to show the morals that he wanted the Roman Empire to uphold. Tacitus felt that if the Germanic barbarians could have strong moral convictions, the more civilized Romans should easily aspire to those principles. llustrating a political platform on how he would rule Rome. A similar story is told when Agricola returns to Rome. Domitian, the emperor of Rome, is a brutal tyrant. Tactitus writes, "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 glance of his savage countenance" (98). Agricola does not attempt to consolidate any power that he could have received from his occupation of Britain. He knows that, if he were to attempt to seize any power, he would surely perish. In both Agricola's reign and Domitian's reign, Tacitus discusses the proble
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Approximate Word count = 746
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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