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 Ipse quo fidem adquireret nihil usquam perinde laetum sibi, publicis<br />
locis struere convivia totaque urbe quasi domo uti. et celeberrimae luxu<br />
famaque epulae fuere quas a Tigellino paratas ut exemplum referam,<br />
ne saepius eadem prodigentia narr<strong>and</strong>a sit. 2 igitur in stagno Agrippae<br />
fabricatus est ratem cui superpositum convivium navium aliarum tractu<br />
moveretur. naves auro et ebore distinctae, remigesque exoleti per aetates<br />
et scientiam libidinum componebantur. volucres et feras diversis e terris et<br />
animalia maris Oceano abusque petiverat. 3 crepidinibus stagni lupanaria<br />
adstabant inlustribus feminis completa et contra scorta visebantur nudis<br />
corporibus. iam gestus motusque obsceni; et postquam tenebrae incedebant,<br />
quantum iuxta nemoris et circumiecta tecta consonare cantu et luminibus<br />
clarescere. 4 ipse per licita atque inlicita foedatus nihil flagitii reliquerat quo<br />
corruptior ageret, nisi paucos post dies uni ex illo contaminatorum grege<br />
(nomen Pythagorae fuit) in modum solemnium coniugiorum denupsisset.<br />
inditum imperatori flammeum, missi auspices, dos et genialis torus et faces<br />
nuptiales, cuncta denique spectata quae etiam in femina nox operit.<br />
<br />
What polarity in Roman thought is <strong>Tacitus</strong> dwelling on in the first sentence?<br />
Explain the use of the infinitives struere <strong>and</strong> uti.<br />
Who is Tigellinus?<br />
Explain the mood of moveretur.<br />
How does the phrase Oceano abusque conjure an atmosphere of exoticism?<br />
What is effective in the syntax of iam gestus motusque obsceni?<br />
What type of genitive is nemoris?<br />
Parse denupsisset. What is significant about <strong>Tacitus</strong>’ use of this verb?<br />
Briefly explain the references to: flammeum; auspices; genialis torus. What do you<br />
think is the effect of these densely-packed terms from the ritual lexicon of Roman<br />
marriage?<br />
Stylistic Appreciation: How does <strong>Tacitus</strong> generate an overpowering atmosphere of<br />
debauchery <strong>and</strong> decadence in his account of Tigellinus’ banquet?<br />
Discussion Point: Which tenets of traditional Roman morality are broken in this banquet? Is<br />
the sexual misconduct of leaders a perennial source of sc<strong>and</strong>al? Does <strong>Tacitus</strong>’ evident outrage<br />
at this banquet come from the same angle as ours at similar stories today? (What, for instance,<br />
are the similarities, what the differences between Nero’s orgy <strong>and</strong> modern ‘bunga bunga’<br />
parties?)
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