Tacitus

Publius, or Gaius, Cornelius Tacitus (born circa AD 56-died circa AD 120), Roman historian. Known for two partially preserved works of history on the Roman republic and empire: the Annals (covering AD 14-AD 68) and the Histories (AD 69-AD 96). He is also known to have written the Agricola, a biography of his father-in-law [G(n)aeus Julius Agricola]?, but that is only preserved in fragments.

Tacitus was primarily concerned with the concentration of power into the hands of the [Roman emperor]?. His writings are filled with tales of corruption and tyranny, and display a particular hatred for the emperor Tiberius.

His coverage of the Germanic? tribes outside the empire is of mixed value to historians. Tacitus uses what he reports of the German character as a kind of 'noble savage' to compare to contemporary Romans and their perceived 'degeneracy'. However, he does supply us with many names for tribes.