A Companion to Tacitus

Tacitus (c. 56-120 CE) is the last in the trinity of great Roman historians. Keen to portray the struggle between individual and society, perhaps most memorably characterized by the ever-troubled relationships between princeps and senate, general and soldier, and governor and provincials, his history is inextricably bound with his philosophy of human nature.

Tacitus’ notoriously difficult language means that perhaps no other classical Latin author requires a general companion more. By providing standard background information necessary for an enhanced appreciation of this historian, A Companion to Tacitus offers a broad introduction to the fundamentals of Tacitean studies. At the same time, the volume showcases new theoretical approaches that enrich our understanding of this complex author.

The companion includes contributions from a broad range of established scholars and rising stars in the field, who bring new clarity to the work of this great Roman historian, and a fresh accessibility to the richness of Tacitean thought to the next generation of scholars.