Tacitus' Wonders: Empire and Paradox in Ancient Rome

This volume explores the theme of wonder in Tacitus' works, focusing on paradox, the marvelous, and the admirable, and seeks to reconcile the divide between history and historiography by encouraging readers to judge and interpret the text for themselves.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 20 April 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This volume delves into the profound concept of wonder in the writings of Tacitus, encompassing the paradoxical, the marvelous, and the admirable. In recent scholarship, there has been a notable emphasis on poetic genres within Roman literature, while historiography has received comparatively less attention. Tacitus, known for his unique perspectives that often diverge from the expectations of his readers, serves as an intriguing focal point for this complementary approach.

Scholarship on Tacitus has predominantly been characterized by a divide between the pursuit of veracity, as measured by modern historiographical standards, and literary approaches. As a result, wonders have either been disregarded as irrelevant to the realm of history or have lost their impact when interpreted solely within the text. While the modern ideal of historiographical objectivity advocates for consistent heuristic and methodological frameworks, works such as Tacitus' Histories, Annals, and opera minora cannot be prefaced with a comprehensive methodology that adequately captures their diverse nature. In our era of specialization, a streamlined methodological approach is valued, but it is essential to recognize that Tacitus had different priorities. The Histories and Annals deserve to be approached with an open mind, embracing the variety of perspectives that a tradition as rich as Latin historiographical prose can encompass.

This collection aims to bridge the gap between history and historiography by presenting challenging moments in the text that encourage readers to engage in judgment and interpretation. Each chapter in the collection employs a range of interpretive approaches, mirroring the richness and diversity of the field. By exploring these contestable aspects, the volume seeks to provide a fresh perspective on Tacitus' works and inspire further exploration of the concept of wonder in ancient literature.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350241732