TACITUS

born c. 200 died , c. June 276, Tyana, Cappadocia [near modern Nigde, Tur.] in full Marcus Claudius Tacitus Roman emperor in 275276. In the 40 years before Tacitus assumed power the empire was ruled by a succession of usurpers and emperors who had been career army officers. On the murder of the emperor Aurelian in 275, the army council invited the Senate to select a nobleman as head of state. The Senate delayed six months before choosing (September 275) Tacitus, an elderly and wealthy senator who had served twice as consul. During his brief reign Tacitus was engaged in continual warfare with hostile tribes in the Eastern Empire. It is uncertain whether he was murdered by his soldiers or died of disease. His successor was his half brother, Florian, who ruled for three months before being killed by his soldiers. born AD 56 died c. 120 in full Publius Cornelius Tacitus, or Gaius Cornelius Tacitus Roman orator and public official, probably the greatest historian and one of the greatest prose stylists who wrote in the Latin language. Among his works are the Germania, describing the Germanic tribes, the Historiae (Histories), concerning the Roman Empire from AD 69 to 96, and the later Annals, dealing with the empire in the period from AD 14 to 68. Additional reading Ronald Syme, Tacitus, 2 vol. (1958, reprinted 1979).