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Tacitus, Histories, LCL 249: Tacitus III, Histories, Books 4-5
Tacitus (Translated by A.J. Church)

Number of quotes: 24


Book ID: 197 Page: 11

Section: 2C

…there had been the farce of consulting the pontiffs, whether, with a child conceived and not yet born, she could properly marry. {30}

Quote ID: 7493

Time Periods: 1


Book ID: 197 Page: 16

Section: 2C

That year triumphal honors were decreed to Aulus Caecina, Lucius Apronius, Gaius Silius for their achievements under Germanicus. The title “father of his country,” {43} which the people had so often thrust on him, Tiberius refused, nor would he allow obedience to be sworn to his enactments, {44} though the Senate voted it….

. . . .

…any corrupt act by which a man had “impaired the majesty of the people of Rome.” Deeds only were liable to accusation; words went unpunished.

Quote ID: 7494

Time Periods: 1


Book ID: 197 Page: 17

Section: 2E5

“…. As to the oath, the thing ought to be considered as if the man had deceived Jupiter. Wrongs done to the gods were the gods’ concern.”

Quote ID: 7496

Time Periods: 12


Book ID: 197 Page: 45

Section: 2E2

Next the Emperor brought forward a motion for the election of a Vestal Virgin {59} in the room of Occia, who for fifty-seven years had presided with the most immaculate virtue over the Vestal worship.

. . . .

…the same husband, while Agrippa had impaired the honor of his house by a divorce. The Emperor consoled his daughter, passed over through she was, with a dowry of a million sesterces.

Quote ID: 7497

Time Periods: 0


Book ID: 197 Page: 49

Section: 4B

20-22 A.D.

…the divine Julius after the loss of his only daughter, {6} and the divine Augustus when he was bereft of his grandchildren, had thrust away their sorrow. There was no need of examples from the past, showing how often the Roman people had patiently endured the defeats of armies, the destruction of generals, the total extinction of noble families. Princes were mortal; the state was everlasting. Let them then return to their usual pursuits, and, as the shows of the festival of the Great Goddess {7} were at hand, even resume their amusements.

Quote ID: 7499

Time Periods: 1


Book ID: 197 Page: 58

Section: 4B

On the days of the games which interrupted the trial, Lepida went into the theater with some ladies of rank …..

PJ: Which Lepida?

Quote ID: 7500

Time Periods: 1


Book ID: 197 Page: 71

Section: 3B

But the chief encourager of strict manners was Vespasian, {68} himself old-fashioned both in his dress and diet.

Quote ID: 7502

Time Periods: 1


Book ID: 197 Page: 74

Section: 2C

…and the celebration of the Great Games, which were to be exhibited by the pontiffs, augurs, and colleges of the Fifteen {75} and of the Seven, {76} with the Augustal brother-hood. {77}

Quote ID: 7503

Time Periods: 0


Book ID: 197 Page: 74/75

Section: 4B

So corrupted indeed and debased was that age by sycophancy…

. . . .

Tradition says that Tiberius as often as he left the Senate House used to exclaim in Greek, “How ready these men are to be slaves.” Clearly, even he, with his dislike of public freedom, was disgusted at the abject abasement of his creatures.

Quote ID: 7504

Time Periods: 1


Book ID: 197 Page: 76

Section: 4B

His slaves too were sold by auction to the state agent to be examined by torture.

Quote ID: 7505

Time Periods: 01


Book ID: 197 Page: 77

Section: 4B

Lucius Ennius, a Roman knight, was accused of treason for having converted a statue of the Emperor to the common use of silver plate; but the Emperor forbad his being put upon his trial ….

Quote ID: 7506

Time Periods: 01


Book ID: 197 Page: 86

Section: 3B

23-28 A.D.

The funeral with its procession of statues was singularly grand. Ǣneas, the father of the Julian house, {18}….

Quote ID: 7507

Time Periods: 1


Book ID: 197 Page: 86

Section: 3B

But as Sejanus had the credit of contriving every sort of wickedness, the fact that he was the Emperor’s special favorite, and that both were hated by the rest of the world, procured belief for any monstrous fiction, ….

Quote ID: 7508

Time Periods: 1


Book ID: 197 Page: 98

Section: 4B

Next, the people of Cyzicus {58} were accused of publicly neglecting the established worship of the divine Augustus, and also of acts of violence to Roman citizens. They were deprived of the franchise which they had earned during the war with Mithridates, …

Quote ID: 7510

Time Periods: 12


Book ID: 197 Page: 98

Section: 3B,5C

Inasmuch as the divine Augustus did not forbid the founding of a temple at Pergamum {60} to himself and to the city of Rome, …

Quote ID: 7512

Time Periods: 1


Book ID: 197 Page: 108

Section: 3B

But though the zeal of the nobles and the bounty of the prince brought relief to suffering yet every day a stronger and fiercer host of informers pursued its victims, . . . .

Pastor John’s note: informers = a frequent topic during Tiberius

Quote ID: 7513

Time Periods: 1


Book ID: 197 Page: 111

Section: 3B

Never was Rome more distracted and terror-stricken. Meetings, conversations, the ear of friend and stranger were alike shunned; even things mute and lifeless, the very roofs and walls, were eyed with suspicion.

Quote ID: 7514

Time Periods: 1


Book ID: 197 Page: 125

Section: 3A2A,3B

Vitia, an aged woman, mother of Fufius Geminus, was executed for bewailing the death of her son.

Quote ID: 7518

Time Periods: 1


Book ID: 197 Page: 130

Section: 3A2A,3B

It was imputed to them as a crime that their great-grandfather Theophanes of Mitylene {29} had been one of the intimate friends of Pompeius the Great, and that after his death Greek flattery had paid him divine honors.

Quote ID: 7521

Time Periods: 1


Book ID: 197 Page: 135

Section: 2E6

{45} The legend of the phoenix seems to have spread from Egypt over a wide area. Herodotus (II, 73) describes it in connection with Heliopolis; but it is mentioned in a poem ascribed to Hesiod, and is perhaps as old as the seventh century B.C.

Quote ID: 7522

Time Periods: 0


Book ID: 197 Page: 136

Section: 3A4C

…forfeiture of their property, were deprived of burial, while those who decided their fate themselves had their bodies interred, and their wills remained valid, a recompense this for their dispatch.

Quote ID: 7523

Time Periods: 1


Book ID: 197 Page: 197

Section: 2A4

XIII. Prodigies had indeed occurred, but to avert them either by victims or by vows is held unlawful by a people which, though prone to superstition, is opposed to all propitiatory rites.{3} Contending hosts were seen meeting in the skies, arms flashed, and suddenly the temple was illuminated with fire from the clouds. Of a sudden the doors of the shrine opened and a superhuman voice cried: “The gods are departing.”

* John’s note 1: Possibly refers to believers of the late first century

2. Longest surviving account of the Jews by any pagan author.*

Quote ID: 9029

Time Periods: 01


Book ID: 197 Page: 257

Section: 1B,3A1A

62-65 A.D.

…but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their center and become popular. Accordingly, they first arrested all who pleaded guilty; …

Quote ID: 7524

Time Periods: 1


Book ID: 197 Page: 263

Section: 1B,3A1A

…the lust of dominion inflames the heart more than any other passion.

Quote ID: 7525

Time Periods: 0



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