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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1 Nec multo post omissa in praesens Achaia (causae in incerto fuere) urbem<br />
revisit, provincias Orientis, maxime Aegyptum, secretis imaginationibus<br />
agitans. dehinc edicto testificatus non longam sui absentiam et cuncta in<br />
re publica perinde immota ac prospera fore, super ea profectione adiit<br />
Capitolium. 2 illic veneratus deos, cum Vestae quoque templum inisset,<br />
repente cunctos per artus tremens, seu numine exterrente, seu facinorum<br />
recordatione numquam timore vacuus, deseruit inceptum, cunctas sibi<br />
curas amore patriae leviores dictitans. 3 vidisse maestos civium vultus,<br />
audire secretas querimonias, quod tantum itineris aditurus esset, cuius<br />
ne modicos quidem egressus tolerarent, sueti adversum fortuita aspectu<br />
principis refoveri. ergo ut in privatis necessitudinibus proxima pignora<br />
praevalerent, ita populum Romanum vim plurimam habere parendumque<br />
retinenti. 4 haec atque talia plebi volentia fuere, voluptatum cupidine et,<br />
quae praecipua cura est, rei frumentariae angustias, si abesset, metuenti.<br />
senatus et primores in incerto erant procul an coram atrocior haberetur:<br />
dehinc, quae natura magnis timoribus, deterius credebant quod evenerat.<br />
What type of ablative is multo?<br />
What is the Capitolium <strong>and</strong> what is its significance?<br />
illic ... inceptum: analyse how the syntax of this sentence helps to articulate its sense.<br />
What type of ablative is amore?<br />
<br />
What are the tenses of the infinitives vidisse ... audire? What do you think the change<br />
of tense conveys? What construction here necessitates the use of infinitives?<br />
State <strong>and</strong> explain the case of itineris.<br />
What type of gerundive is parendum?<br />
<br />
State <strong>and</strong> explain the mood of haberetur.<br />
Stylistic Appreciation: How does <strong>Tacitus</strong> create in this chapter a powerfully damning account<br />
of the hypocrisy <strong>and</strong> corruption of both ruler <strong>and</strong> ruled in the time of Nero?<br />
Discussion Point: In this chapter <strong>Tacitus</strong> seems to delve deep into Nero’s psychology, reporting<br />
his secret hopes <strong>and</strong> his greatest fears: is this <strong>with</strong>in a historian’s remit? What aspects of the<br />
relationship between the emperor <strong>and</strong> the people does <strong>Tacitus</strong> want us to dwell on? Do you<br />
accept <strong>Tacitus</strong>’ scathing judgment on the selfish priorities of the plebs?
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