Roman Historiography and Tacitus

Vocabulary flashcards covering Roman foundation myths, the period of the kings, the transition to the Principate, the Julio-Claudian dynasty, and the life and works of the historian Tacitus.

Jupiter Stator

The 'stopping Jupiter' to whom Romulus vowed a temple after a victory against the Sabines; Cicero delivered his 'In Catilinam' speech in this temple.

In Catilinam

A series of speeches delivered by Cicero starting on 8 November 63 BC in the temple of Jupiter against the conspirator Catilina.

Romulus of Arpinum

A title Cicero used for himself, seeing himself as a new Romulus for saving the city from Catilina.

Pomerium

The sacred boundary of Rome; according to legend, the death of Remus inaugurated the fortifications of the new city.

Lupanare

A Latin term for a brothel; used in the notes to suggest a human explanation for the 'she-wolf' (lupa) legend as a prostitute who cared for the twins.

Fratricide

The act of killing one's brother; in Roman myth, Romulus killing Remus is seen as a precursor to Roman civil wars.

Lapis Niger

The 'black stones' that mark a supposedly unlucky spot or a monument for Romulus or his family, including an altar and a pillar with early Latin.

Boustrophedon

A style of writing found on the Lapis Niger where lines alternate direction (left-to-right and right-to-left).

Numa Pompilius

The second king of Rome; a Sabine known for wisdom and for having no wars during his reign.

Tarquinius Superbus

The sixth and final king of Rome; known for a reign of terror and whose expulsion marked the end of the monarchy.

Lucretia

A Roman noblewoman whose dishonor by Sextus Tarquinius led to the revenge of Lucius Junius Brutus and the end of the kingship.

Sine ira et studio

A phrase meaning 'without bitterness and without sympathy' (without bias), used by Tacitus to describe his approach to history.

Taciteïsche innuendo

A stylistic device used by Tacitus to imply hidden motives or character traits, such as contrasting Tiberius as a monster versus Germanicus as a savior.

Octavianus

The name taken by Gaius Octavius after being adopted in Julius Caesar's testament before he became Augustus.

Agrippa Postumus

The grandson of Augustus who was eventually adopted alongside Tiberius in 4 AD but was later banished.

Caligula

The nickname of Gaius, meaning 'little soldier's boot'; known for a promising start followed by a breakdown and assassination by the Praetorian Guard.

Equites

The social rank (knights) to which Tacitus belonged; they handled finances and lower administrative positions in the provinces.

Homo novus

A 'new man'; a term for someone like Tacitus who was the first in his family to enter the Senate.

Dialogus de oratoribus

A work by Tacitus exploring the decline of rhetoric due to the transition from republic to monarchy.

Agricola

A biographical work by Tacitus about his father-in-law, focusing on campaigns in Britain and criticizing the tyranny of Domitian.

Germania

An ethnographic work by Tacitus describing the Germanic tribes as a 'pure' people unaffected by the corruption of civilization.

Historiae

Tacitus's work covering the period from the Year of the Four Emperors to the death of Domitian.

Annales

Also known as 'Ab excessu divi Augusti', this work by Tacitus covers the Julio-Claudian dynasty from the death of Augustus to Nero.

Simulatio and Dissimulatio

Terms for psychological hypocrisy and concealment, which Tacitus frequently analyzes as underlying drivers of historical figures.

Pax Romana

A period of peace that Tacitus characterizes as a 'sleeping volcano' full of social, political, and military tensions.