Latin 520 (Tiberius): Assignment for Week 2 (Jan. 7-13)

As anticipated, we will continue discussion of the Velleius Paterculus readings from last week, picking up at the end of 2.123. We’ll also look at the passage from 2.36, the Latin text of which I handed out in class (please remember to bring that with you).

We will, however, also move this week into Tacitus’ account of the reign of Tiberius in Annals 1-6, starting with Annals 1.

• Read:

Tacitus, Annals 1

Read all of this (Annals Book 1, that is) in English (please use Woodman’s translation!)

In an ideal, even paradisical world, you’ll have slogged through the whole thing (Annals Book 1, that is) in Latin by Thursday…but I do understand that we do not live in that world.

Thus these are the chapters you should definitely read in Latin: 1, 11-15, 46-47, 72-81.

Commentary situation: the best commentary in English on Annals 1 and 2 is by Goodyear (though this is heavily interested in matters of language and style, less so in the historical situation). I have placed this on our reserve shelf. You might also, however, consult the old commentary by Furneaux (in the Tacitus section in the sem. rm.), which is still helpful. Teutonic diehards will want to use Koestermann’s commentary (in Suzzallo!). Woodman’s notes in his commentary are very useful indeed.

NB: As you read, do make note of passages that particularly strike your fancy or that raise questions you’d like us to air…much as you did in exemplary fashion on Thursday!

• Ponderanda:

A substantial portion of Annals 1 is given over to Germanicus and the mutiny on the Rhine. While I’ve not actually demanded that you read this in Latin, that should not be construed as meaning the narrative is unimportant. Germanicus functions, as many characters in Tacitus do, as a foil to the emperor. In other words: what are we meant to deduce about Tiberius from T.’s account of Germanicus? This particular plot will thicken once we get into Book 2.

Annals 1 covers merely the first year (AD 14-15) of Tiberius’ reign, and thus is obviously considerably more detailed than Velleius. How does Tacitus’ Tiberius compare/contrast with Velleius’? Be prepared to point out one or two passages in each text to support your observations.

Also: Although this covers the period of only one year, what indications does T. give of what the new regime will be like? What appear already to be its fundamental characteristics?

We will, initially at least, focus a good deal on the ‘succession’ scene, and how that compares to Velleius’ version. Indeed, one area of concern for us shall be the sharp distinctions between Velleius’ presentation of Tiberius and Tacitus’.

• Secondary reading:

If you have never read Word One of Tacitus and know nothing about him, you should make a point of reading the Introduction to Woodman’s translation (he is the world’s foremost authority on Tacitus).

Lucky for you, we have the new Cambridge Companion to Tacitus, A.J. Woodman, ed. (Cambridge 2009) – I’ll put this on our seminar reserve shelf. Not only will this provide you with a very full, up-to-date bibliog. on Tacitus, it has a wealth of articles by first-rate Tacitean scholars (well, all but one are first-rate Tacitean scholars). In this volume I’d like you to read Kraus’ chapter on ‘The Tiberian hexad’ (pp. 100-15) – this will give a good overall sense of Tacitus’ aims and modus operandi. You may also find it profitable to read some of the other articles in this volume as well.