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Cornelius Tacitus
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Annals Paperback – March 26, 2013

by Tacitus (Author), Cynthia Damon (Translator, Introduction)
4.3 out of 5 stars 67 ratings
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A compelling new translation of a vital account of Roman history

With clarity and vivid intensity, Tacitus's Annals recounts the pivotal events in Roman history from the years shortly before the death of Augustus to the death of Nero in 68 AD, including the reign of terror under the corrupt Tiberius, the great fire of Rome during the time of Nero, and the wars, poisonings, scandals, conspiracies, and murders that were part of imperial life. Despite Tacitus's claim that they were written objectively, the Annals is sharply critical of the emperors' excesses and fearful for the future of imperial Rome, while also filled with a longing for its past glories.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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  1. Print length
    464 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Penguin Classics
  4. Publication date
    March 26, 2013
  5. Dimensions
    5.12 x 0.96 x 7.78 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9780140455649
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0140455649
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About the Author

Tacitus, born in about AD 56 in southern Gaul (modern Provence) under the emperor Nero, was probably the son of an equestrian. He enjoyed success as a both a politician and writer, publishing the Agricola (a biography of his father-in-law) and the Germania (an ethnographical study of the peoples of Germany) in 98. Today he is best known as a historian, the author of The Histories and the Annals. The culmination of Tacitus' public career was when he won the prestigious post of proconsul of Asia (112/13). He died at some point after 115 and probably lived into the reign of Hadrian, but there is no evidence for his later life or the date of his death.

Cynthia Damon received her PhD from Stanford University and taught at Harvard University and at Amherst College before moving to the University of Pennsylvania. She is the author of The Mask of the Parasite, a commentary on Tacitus' Histories 1, and, with Will Batstone, Caesar's Civil War.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0140455647
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Classics; Penguin Classics edition (March 26, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780140455649
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0140455649
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.12 x 0.96 x 7.78 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 67 ratings

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Cornelius Tacitus

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
67 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book has a rich history. The readability receives mixed feedback, with some finding it easy to read while others say it's hard to understand.

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4 customers mention "History"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's historical content, with one noting its year-by-year chronology.

"...Tacitus uses a year to year chronology, the first ancient author to do so I believe, so his stories flow seamlessly...." Read more

"...However, I found the history had more depth since Tacitus lived close to the time of the events he describes...." Read more

"Way late review! Excellent book, thanks! A great history of a very interesting and important period---even though ancient---in western history." Read more

"The Annals is a very informative and detailed book with rich history. However, it can hard to read and understand...." Read more

10 customers mention "Readability"5 positive5 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's readability, with some finding it easy to read and interesting, while others report it being hard to understand.

"...Annuals was a very interesting read. It covered the end of the reign of Tiberius through Nero, behaviors can be quite shocking to a modern reader...." Read more

"Way late review! Excellent book, thanks! A great history of a very interesting and important period---even though ancient---in western history." Read more

"...The only disappointing part are the areas where the original text is missing. If you have interest in the early participate read this book." Read more

"...With this translation, it makes it easier to understand. However, chucks of historical information has been omitted...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • bclawson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This was my first reading of Tacitus and I'm glad it was this one. I am unable to say if the style is Tacitus himself or Ms. Damon's translation but the book is easy to read and sucks you into the Roman world. Tacitus uses a year to year chronology, the first ancient author to do so I believe, so his stories flow seamlessly. The only disappointing part are the areas where the original text is missing. If you have interest in the early participate read this book.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • NAS
    5.0 out of 5 stars was a difficult read - more like reading the jottings in someone's notebook
    Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Annals, by Tacitus, was a difficult read - more like reading the jottings in someone's notebook. Also Tacitus uses multiple names for the same person or one name for multiple personalities in a family. However, I found the history had more depth since Tacitus lived close to the time of the events he describes. His analysis of the Roman legions, wars, weak Senate activities, and utter depravity of the emperor's, noblemen and their families was brought out in detail. Very interesting.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Jacob
    5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to Read Translation
    Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    After searching for a translation of the Annals that wasn't dated lingustally, this was the one I found. Damon's translation is consice and clear. The english is not as dated as the 1876 Church and BrodribbI translation. The language was easy to read.

    I was glad names were standardized in book so it was easier to follow the history of each person thoughout the narrative. Unclear points or places with different possible readings were marked in a rear appendix.

    Annuals was a very interesting read. It covered the end of the reign of Tiberius through Nero, behaviors can be quite shocking to a modern reader. Tacitus brings some of his own critical commentary to actions of the leaders. The book ends incomplete with the death of Nero. Highly recommend the translation.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • R. J. Ryan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tacitus "Annals" in Penguin Classics paperback. Hooray!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    The five stars are for anyone (everyone) who, like me has borrowed, googled, wikied Tacitus for years without having one's own copy. I not only gave out hits to my family re birthday and Christmas presents, I told them I'd be in heaven I I had my own copy.
    There is no other review I can offer except to say what a treasure trove it is. Tacitus is not a cover to cover read, but rather a mine of gems that one might stumble upon by accident or design. But then, all the really scholarly people know this already. My poor review is for the interested unschooled such as myself. Maybe, if you put it on your wishlist, someone in the family might buy it for you.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Allan Bowdery
    1.0 out of 5 stars One Star
    Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    The translation may be accurate from the original Latin, but is unreadable as English.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Joyce H. Crawford
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Way late review! Excellent book, thanks! A great history of a very interesting and important period---even though ancient---in western history.
    One person found this helpful
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  • SS
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good quality for the price
    Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    These books from the Franklin Library class up my bookcase.
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  • dave
    2.0 out of 5 stars Great book, just bad translation.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    The Annals is a very informative and detailed book with rich history. However, it can hard to read and understand. With this translation, it makes it easier to understand. However, chucks of historical information has been omitted. Important passages has been taken out by the translator of this version. For the most accurate translation, I would recommend Alfred John Church and William Jackson Brodribb version.
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Marva c Dempster
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tacticus
    Reviewed in Canada on March 27, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I am enjoying reading this book, about some past history of the Romans.
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  • HappyWanderer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A difficult read, but that’s the challenge!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 31, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    On a learning curve with the early Romans. Fascinating but hard work.
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  • iudex
    4.0 out of 5 stars Superb effort
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 28, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I find the Latin of Tacitus exceptionally challenging. It could not have been easy for even Romans to read. It is often abrupt and staccato, with verbal variations and contrasts. A translator has the choice of rendering the text in a way that conveys a sense of the original, or simply adopting straight forward, easy to follow, modern English. Dr Damon has chosen the former, and it seems to me that, of all the available translations, hers does come closest to the original Latin, idiosyncrasies included. This must have been a formidable task. If that is doubted, and you have decent Latin, try to translate a few sentences in a way that conveys the original but is still readable. Those reviewers who complain that her translation is unreadable miss the point; many of his original readers no doubt had the same grievance. I would though respectfully question the use of italics to represent direct speech: in the original Latin there is often no direct speech, but oratio obliqua. For such a monumental and, I believe, successful task of scholarship, the online price is a gift.
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  • CB KANE
    1.0 out of 5 stars No Page Numbers in Kindle Version
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 19, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this version as it specifically said it has page numbers and location.I need the page numbers for referencing but viewing it on my kindle it has no page numbers.Will cancel and buy the book.
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  • thoatswold
    2.0 out of 5 stars Good scholarly introduction, but terrible translation
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 17, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    This 2012 translation of Tacitus's 'Annals' by Cynthia Damon is extremely disappointing. The style is laboured and old-fashioned, and follows the Latin so closely that it reads more like a crib for students than a translation into English – I found it almost unreadable. Here is a typical example:

    "In this same period Lucius Piso the pontifex – this was a rare occurrence for such great eminence – passed away. No servile proposals were voluntarily authored by him, and whenever necessity pressed he was wisely restraining. That his father was censor, I reported; his age advanced to the eightieth year; he won triumphal honours in Thrace. But his principal glory came from this: as city prefect with a power newly permanent and more oppressive because obedience was unaccustomed, he exercised remarkable sobriety."

    Having read and enjoyed Harold Mattingly's excellent 1949 translation of Tacitus's 'Agricola' and 'Germania', I know it is possible to render Tacitus into good modern English. Sadly, Dr Damon lacks that basic writing skill or has failed to realise that translation requires it.

    The two stars are for the introduction.
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