Irony and Misreading in the Annals of Tacitus [Paperback]

This 2000 book is a literary analysis of the language and style of Tacitus' Annals.This book is a literary analysis of the language and style of Tacitus' Annals. The political context of first-second century AD Rome is also taken into consideration. In analysis of particular passages close attention is given to the structure of the Latin, which is also fully translated. Issues relating to the study of narrative, Roman politics and theories of history are addressed in the course of the discussion.This book is a literary analysis of the language and style of Tacitus' Annals. The political context of first-second century AD Rome is also taken into consideration. In analysis of particular passages close attention is given to the structure of the Latin, which is also fully translated. Issues relating to the study of narrative, Roman politics and theories of history are addressed in the course of the discussion.This book is a literary analysis of the language and style of Tacitus' Annals. The political context of first-second century AD Rome is also taken into consideration. In analysis of particular passages close attention is given to the structure of the Latin, which is fully translated. Issues relating to the study of narrative, Roman politics and theories of history are addressed in the course of the discussion.Preface; 1. Introduction: irony, history, reading; 2. Imperium sine fine: problems of definition in Annals I; 3. Germanicus and the reader in the text; 4. Reading Tiberius at face value; 5. Obliteration and the literate emperor; 6. The empress's plot; 7. Ghostwriting the emperor Nero; 8. Conclusion: the end of history; Bibliography; General index; Index locorum.