Cornelius Tacitus
Cornelius Tacitus (c.54 - 120), full name Publius Cornelius Tacitus or Gaius Cornelius Tacitus, was a Roman historian, born presumably at Rome, of equestrian rank, early famous as an orator. He married a daughter of Agricola, held office under the Emperors Vespasian, Domitian, and Nerva, and conducted along with Pliny the younger the prosecution of Marius Priscus. He is best known and most celebrated as a historian, and of writings extant the chief are his "Life of Agricola," his "Germania," his "Histories" and his "Annals"; his "Agricola" is admired as a model biography, while his "Histories" and "Annales" are distinguished for "their conciseness, their vigour, and the pregnancy of meaning; a single word sometimes gives effect to a whole sentence, and if the meaning of the word is missed, the sense of the writer is not reached". His great power lies in his insight into character and the construing of motives, but the picture he draws of imperial Rome is revolting.Wisdom & Quotes
- The Gods are on the side of the stronger.
- Rumour is not always wrong.
- It is human to hate those whom we have injured.
- They make a desert and call it peace.
Petronius