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Tacitus, Annals, 15.20­-23, 33­-45. Latin Text, Study Aids with Vocabulary, and Commentary, 2013a

Tacitus, Annals, 15.20­-23, 33­-45. Latin Text, Study Aids with Vocabulary, and Commentary, 2013a

Tacitus, Annals, 15.20­-23, 33­-45. Latin Text, Study Aids with Vocabulary, and Commentary, 2013a

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[35]<br />

1 Eius munus frequentanti Neroni ne inter voluptates quidem a sceleribus<br />

cessabatur. isdem quippe illis diebus Torquatus Silanus mori adigitur,<br />

quia super Iuniae familiae claritudinem divum Augustum abavum ferebat.<br />

2 iussi accusatores obicere prodigum largitionibus, neque aliam spem<br />

quam in rebus novis esse: quin inter libertos habere quos ab epistulis et<br />

libellis et rationibus appellet, nomina summae curae et meditamenta. 3 tum<br />

intimus quisque libertorum vincti abreptique; et cum damnatio instaret,<br />

brachiorum venas Torquatus interscidit; secutaque Neronis oratio ex more,<br />

quamvis sontem et defensioni merito diffisum victurum tamen fuisse si<br />

clementiam iudicis exspectasset.<br />

<br />

Parse frequentanti.<br />

State <strong>and</strong> explain the case of isdem ... illis diebus <strong>and</strong> discuss the effect of having two<br />

attributes (isdem <strong>and</strong> illis).<br />

Briefly outline who Torquatus Silanus is. What reasons does Nero have for wanting<br />

him to be killed?<br />

<br />

Explain why Torquatus’ employment of the titles ab epistulis, a libellis <strong>and</strong> a rationibus<br />

was dangerous.<br />

What type of genitive is summae curae?<br />

State <strong>and</strong> explain the case of defensioni.<br />

Parse victurum.<br />

Who is referred to by iudicis? How would you describe <strong>Tacitus</strong>’ tone here?<br />

Stylistic Appreciation: How does <strong>Tacitus</strong> make this short passage a terrifying glimpse of<br />

Neronian Rome?<br />

Discussion Point: To what extent, if any, do you think Torquatus is to blame for what<br />

happened to him? What does this episode reveal about the nature of monarchy in Rome<br />

under Nero? Or about monarchy in general? Do any similar episodes spring to mind from<br />

ancient or modern history?

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