Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Tacitus, Cornelius. Annales (Tacitus)'

Arbetets syfte är att genomsöka Tacitus första bok ur verket Annales efter versmått och vidare undersöka om genomsökningens resultat förmår att säga någonting om deras roll i Tacitus stil.
Tacitus´Annales I has been scanned for poetic verses. Attempts have been made to identify their role in Tacitus´stylistic efforts.

Analyses of conflict in Tacitus have often been focussed on tbe constitution of the Principate, specifically the loss of libertas which followed from the system of rule by one. This thesis offers a theoretical analysis of conflict in Tacilus, arguing that conflict stems from the wider social and systemic structures ordinarily designed to ensure peace, such as the law, the imperial hierarchy and the mos maiorum. The notion that peacetime policies and procedures became in themselves a source of conflict is here described as the paradox of imperial politics. Chapters I and 2 offer a close reading of the Augustan prologue and the accession of Tiberius, while also introducing the work of Giorgio Agamben on the sovereign exception and Michel Foucault on biopoliti cs, The first chapter argues that a source of epistemological conflict is cultural memory, specifically the knowledge of the violent past of civil war. The second chapter argues that political conflict results from Tiberius' inability to replicate Augustan imperium, which in Tacitus is the power to speak in the name of the law and decide truth . In Chapter 3, and with reference to Jacques Ranciere's conception of democratic violence, hierarchy is revealed as the source of conflict since although it serves to maintain order in the imperial state it equally (and paradoxically) fosters the potential for revolution, In Chapter 4, building on Hannah Arendt's notion of mores and lex, it is argued that systemic conflict (corruption and moral decli ne) stems not from the lack of law or the erosion of prisca vinus but rather, and again paradoxically, from the system of law itself as well as the moderating values encoded in traditional Roman morality. By reading Tacitean conflict as something which is ex traneous to the more obvious sources of political conflict (rising tyranny/maiestas/republican sympathies), but as something which is engrained within the ordering structures of society, this thes is offers new insight into the frailty of imperi al politics as well as a wider understanding of Roman pol itical and social conflict in limes of peace. The thesis also shows that (he contradictory nature of Tacitus' narrative is not merely a reflection of the ambiguous nature of men and government; but it may be read from a wider theoretical perspective, as an attempt to foreground the generative power of paradox, that is, how paradox works to reinforce the power of the imperial regime and the imperial peace.

This thesis deals with Tacitus' portrayal of women by examining in detail a number of the female characters in the Annals in order to identify certain themes and ideas relating to women. The most striking theme to emerge from such an examination is that of the strong, powerful, almost masculine woman, and several of the characters examined exemplify this recurring theme. In portraying these characters Tacitus uses certain language patterns and techniques of characterisation, and this thesis is concerned with identifying such patterns and techniques. These include the recurring use of certain words with a specific connotation, and the employment of several methods of directing the reader's perception in the manner Tacitus desires. This manipulation of the reader's response is an example of Tacitus' direct and indirect authorial control, which is also evident in his technique of using his own and other authors' usage to create resonances for particular expressions. Of note is the fact that Tacitus avoids direct description of his characters, but rather allows their actions to reveal character. Given that Tacitus' main preoccupation in the Annals as a whole is the nature of the principate, he uses his portrayal of women to illuminate and comment upon his view of this form of government. The women chosen for study, with one exception, belong to the imperial circle since, with the inauguration of one man rule, those with ready access to the princeps had the most opportunity to break out of the mould of the traditional ideal of Roman womanhood. Boudicca, the British queen of the Iceni, has been chosen for study as a foil to the Roman women in order to highlight their manoeuvrings for personal power, while Octavia has been selected as an exemplar of the Roman ideal of womanhood. Although this is not a historical or sociological study, it must be noted that the evidence we have of the period about which Tacitus is writing is in fact one-sided evidence derived from a restricted social class, recorded by men, and an attempt to redress this balance is made by reference to contemporary studies of the legal and social position of women in Roman society. Consequently chapters on the historical background and the position of women respectively have been included as background. In addition other ancient sources have been consulted where this is appropriate in order to determine areas of bias in Tacitus.
Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1993.

Thesis (MA (Ancient Studies)--University of Stellenbosch, 2008.
The term vir bonus as a comprehensive concept is nowhere precisely defined, yet the Romans clearly understood its meaning. To give substance to it, the role that the good Roman or vir bonus was expected to play in the Roman Republic, was examined. By his extensive descriptions of the evils of the Empire, Tacitus confirms this concept by emphasizing the absence of these exemplary qualities. The development of Rome from city state to Monarchy to Republic is steeped in legend. The foundation of the Roman constitution was believed to have been laid during that period, and adjusted to prevent the recurrence of a monarchy. This system of government was closely structured and demanded a high moral standard from its participants. While Roman territory was limited, this constitution functioned well. However, when after the Punic Wars Rome became master of almost the whole area surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, it was impracticable. A long and often bloody strife followed between the advocates of change and those who would not accept it. Augustus won out and established an Empire, calling it by the euphemistic term of Principate. His successors automatically acceded to their powers as emperor. During the Empire the political structures of the Republic were disempowered and the moral fibre of the ruling classes perverted. It is this process that Tacitus examines critically. He does so by describing how different people reacted under different circumstances. Some behaviour he roundly condemns, but often he makes us realise that the participants did not have much leeway, and that this consequently affected their behaviour .

D.Litt. et Phil. (Latin)
The aim of this study is to establish the importance of the comparative and superlative degrees of the adjective in general, to evaluate the effectiveness of the comparatives and superlatives which Tacitus applies in his writings, and to ascertain what contribution they make to the individual texts and to the study of Tacitus' works as a whole. Conflict, contrast and comparison feature prominently in Tacitus' record and interpretation of historical events, and his portrayal of character. Conflict presupposes comparison and in this regard comparatives and superlatives may be considered indispensable elements of Tacitus' writings. His skill in applying these degrees of the adjective allows him to utilise them to the full, and, directly and indirectly, to record and interpret, inform and imply, enhance and enliven, compare and contrast, evoke and express, colour and persuade. The persuasive power that comparatives and superlatives possess may vary from negligible to significant and, consequently, they may be classified as neutral or loaded respectively. They fulfill both an intrinsic and contextual function, and an evaluation ~f their effectiveness can only be determined after consideration of both functions.

D.Litt. et Phil.
Can a framework based on literary theory be successfully applied to the analysis of a narrative classical text? This is the central problem addressed in this study. The research question is posed within the following context: In contrast to previous approaches the modern tendency in literary research is to acknowledge the active role which the reader has to play in the production of meaning. This trend is clearly reflected by the course which scholarship on the historical works of Tacitus has followed during the past century. The history of the reception of Tacitus' works proves that the literary influences of the times were often crucial for the reception of his works. A logical conclusion would be that the popularity of modern literary constructs, and in particular, the application of narratology to narrative texts, will have a marked influence on the modern day reception of Tacitus' works. The historical writings of Tacitus are not regarded as an historical document, but as a text With literary merit. The strong influence of rhetoric on Roman historiography invalidates the enforcement of criteria used for modern historiography. The research question is discussed on the basis of a narratological analysis of Tacitus' Historiae 1.1-49. In these chapters the short reign of the emperor Galba is treated. Six narratological aspects of the text are discussed, namely selection, order, time, characterisation, space, and focalisation. The following conclusions are reached: The greatest benefit or advantage of a narratological framework lies in the systematisation of the analysis. A reading strategy is supplied and the reader is guided to recognise and describe certain basic characteristics which are inherent in all narratives. The narratological analysis demands a much higher degree of creativity on the part of the reader than a conventional philological analysis. The description of the text leads to certain questions, which in turn lead to a scientifically based interpretation. The conclusions which are reached are the result of the analysis and not the substantiation of a preconceived supposition. Although intertextual references may be lost on the reader of the translated text, and although he will probably not be aware of the semantic implications of grammatical constructions, a knowledge of Latin is not a prerequisite for a narratological reading Of the text. There are comparatively few readers of Latin and Greek texts today, and the fact that the reception of a specific text is not restricted by language or even medium should be seen as an added advantage. The analysis of different narratological aspects of the text pointed to the same underlying themes: The importance of military power in these times, the powerless position in which the emperor found himself, the obsequiousness of senate and people, and the deeply seated hatred of the principate which underlies the narration. The identification of these themes are not new but the methodology certainly is.

M.A. (Latin)
This study is focused on the different ways the character of the Emperor Nero is depicted by the biographer Suetonlus and the historiographer Tacitus. The study is Introduced with an historical survey of the life of Nero. Thereupon a discussion follows on the life experiences of the authors, Suetonius and Tacitus, as well as the different style and genre used by each, and suggestions on how their writings could have been influenced by these factors. Two aspects of Nero's life are discussed at length, namely his relationship with his mother (and issues relating to that). as well as his interest in and practising of the arts (focusing on Nero as a poet, singer and charioteer). The discussion of these topics is done in the following manner: firstiy Suetonius' account of the events are given, followed by the account by Tacitus. These versions are then compared and where different, the candidate suggests possible reasons for the difference of opinion or presentation between the authors. Various characteristics of the Emperor Nero are referred to. The main conclusions can be categorised into three sections: - First and foremost the authors had different life experiences. Suetonius held various secretarial positions at the court of Caesar Hadrian which SUbsequently influenced his writings. He Was not however a senator or interested In politics and military affairs, which explains the fact that he does not write about political upheavals and does not contribute political motivations for certain actions of characters under discussion. Tacitus on the contrary, was a senator during the reign of Domitian. The atrocities committed by the Emperor and the slowly diminishing power of the Senate influenced the mind and writings of Tacitus to a great extent.