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Secondary sourceBookwritten early 2nd century AD; this translation 1906

The Annals: Opening Books on Augustus's Death

Tacitus · written early 2nd century AD; this translation 1906

Tacitus's history opens with the death of Augustus and the succession of Tiberius, written by a critical historian long after the events.

Opens with Augustus's death and succession, offering a critical historian's later judgment on his rule.

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About this source

What it is

This is the opening of Tacitus's Annals, a Roman history that begins with the death of Augustus and the transition of power to Tiberius. Tacitus wrote long after these events took place. This edition is an English translation published in 1906.

Why it matters

Tacitus briefly summarises centuries of Roman political history before focusing on Augustus, who ended civil war by bringing the Roman world under his own rule as Princeps. Tacitus is known for his critical, often skeptical view of emperors, making this an important but pointed source for understanding how Augustus's power was judged by later Romans.

Look closer

  • Why does Tacitus describe earlier Roman leaders before turning to Augustus?
  • What tone does Tacitus take toward the idea of one man ruling the state?
  • How might writing under a later emperor affect what Tacitus could say about Augustus?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Augustus on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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