Tacitus: Annals Book IV (Cambridge Greek and Latin Classics) (Bk.4) [Paperback]

Tacitus (Author), R. H. Martin (Editor), A. J. Woodman (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521315433 | ISBN-13: 978-0521315432 | Publication Date: January 26, 1990

The fourth book of Tacitus' Annals has been described as "the best that Tacitus ever wrote." It covers the years AD 23-28, starting when Tacitus noted a significant deterioration in the principate of the emperor Tiberius, and the increasingly malign influence of his "evil genius" Sejanus. R.H. Martin and A.J. Woodman present an improved text of Annals IV, explain in detail the difficulties and unusual features of Tacitus' Latin, and discuss the dramatic, structural and literary qualities of the narrative. They also discuss the political, moral and stylistic dimensions of the Roman historiographical tradition. Though intended primarily as a textbook for undergraduates and high school students, this edition will interest scholars of Latin literature and Roman history as well.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, Latin --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Book Description

Described as the "best that Tacitus ever wrote", the fourth book of his Annals covers the years AD 23-28, when Tacitus noted deterioration in the principate of the emperor Tiberius and the increasingly malign influence of his "evil genius" Sejanus.

Product Details

• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (January 26, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521315433
• ISBN-13: 978-0521315432
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #315,812 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Finally an affordable Woodman and Martin commentary, September 8, 2010

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fidistria (NY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tacitus: Annals Book IV (Cambridge Greek and Latin Classics) (Bk.4) (Paperback)

The editors of this volume are two of the greatest Tacitean scholars of the late 20th/early 21st century, and Woodman; here they tackle the pivotal 4th book of the Annals, and, unlike their Cambridge commentary on the third book, this edition is actually affordable.

It is true that this text, like other 'Green and Yellow' editions, is not for a beginner: vocabulary is not provided, and the ability to work out Latin prose, and even tricky Tacitean prose, is assumed. Nevertheless, there are good introductory essays on Tacitus' career, style, and general methods. The commentary focuses on literary technique and structure, not just within Book IV, but within the entire Annals, provides some grammatical aid, and points out many references and allusions to other authors and events, touching as well on major interpretive issues in Tacitean studies. This is the most valuable part of any commentary, I think, and it is particularly well done here. It is so hard and requires so much experience to be able to identify what makes a passage seem familiar, or where that familiarity might come from, or to understand exactly the force of a particular word in the particular way it is used. In that respect, Woodman and Martin are excellent guides, although most readers will probably not agree with all of their comments.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good text, horrible idea, April 7, 2010

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Shaun Juan Demarco "Yes, Shaun is my real name." (Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tacitus: Annals Book IV (Cambridge Greek and Latin Classics) (Bk.4) (Paperback)

First, I'm not sure if the other reviewer knows what he/she is talking about. It should be mentioned straight off this is only one book of the "Annals", and is not meant as a history book. This is the latin text meant for latin students. Reading this book will not give you a great understanding of history, as you will likely be trying to disseminate the latin as your primary task. Yes, the Annals are a good read for history courses/fun, but that person would not be reading this version.

Second, the reviewer talks about the history of Augustus. Had he/she read this product the author might make note that this is book 4 of the Annals, the one in which Tacitus discusses the flawed character of Tiberius. A completely different person.

Anyway, on to the review:

Up front, know this is a Latin text that does not include beginner helping aids such as macrons. Furthermore, the text does not distinguish between "u" and "v", which afterall were the same letter to the Romans anyways. Therefore, you have to be on top of your Latin a little bit to distinguish such things as the difference between "summa" and "summa" - one being the accusative plural and the other being the ablative singular. This is done by context, which is not usually a tool employed by many beginning (or even some intermediate) Latin learners. Some students, like myself, may have used other Cambridge texts in class.

Ok, the text. The text is standard Latin. There's about 60 pages or so of solid Latin. A big, intimidating wall of Latin. While there are no macrons, I did find the punctuation to be rather well done and blocks off chunks of the text you can look at in parts. However, this wall of text starts my quibble with this edition.

This book is not user-friendly for students or intermediate level readers. I use "user-friendly" relative to my ability. I have a minor in Latin from a decent program and some amount of independent reading under my belt. I recently read Bolchazy-Carducci's edition of Selections From the Satyricon and found the amount of help to be a bit much. (As a quick overview: lots of vocab help, listing almost every ablative absolute in the first half of the text etc.) I consider myself still learning the language, but by no means do I consider myself inadequate at being able to translate authentic latin with help.

On the other hand you have this book. There is absolutely no vocab listing, grammar aids or explanations are extremely rare, and translation help for more difficult passages/word combinations (idioms etc.) is hardly to be seen. The approximately 200 pages of notes is mostly a

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive Primary Source On the History Of Imperial Roman, December 15, 2007

By 

Michael A Neulander "Political Philosophy" (VA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tacitus: Annals Book IV (Cambridge Greek and Latin Classics) (Bk.4) (Paperback)

I read this book for a graduate course in Roman history. It is an indispensable primary source for students of Roman history.

On the first page of his Annals of Imperial Rome, Tacitus wrote that Octavian "seduced the army with bonuses, and his cheap food policy was successful bait for civilians." Tacitus' description of Augustus' transformation of Rome from a republic into an empire is most illuminating as well. "Upper-class survivors found that slavish obedience was the way to succeed, both politically and financially. They had profited from the revolution, and so now they liked the security of the existing arrangement better than the dangerous uncertainties of the old regime."

Sir Ronald Syme relied heavily on the work of Tacitus for his cogent narrative of Octavian's rise to power as Augustus. Syme's in-depth study of Tacitus' life and work was published in 1958. Tacitus' historical accuracy was doubted for centuries and Syme made a project of re-evaluating the accuracy of his historical writings. Syme believed that Tacitus was in a unique position to write about the birth and early political history of the Imperial period in Rome due to his very active political life. Tacitus had served as a senator, consul, and proconsul of Asia. In addition, he was known to be an excellent orator in his day. In his writings, Syme believed that Tacitus provided excellent accounts of Augustus' rise to power and his career as Rome's first Emperor.

Tacitus delved into the machinery of the new government, including Augustus' use of patronage as well as his many thwarted attempts at planning for his own succession. What Syme found was a man that grew very adept politically and whose political maturity rapidly developed at an early age. At eighteen, he was named as heir to Julius Caesar. He grew into the greatest Roman princeps spanning fifty-six years until his death. Augustus knew that to retain power he had to maintain the general consent of the governed. He astutely maintained order not by following the constitution or past precedent, but by using the tremendous resources at his disposal. Augustus kept the plebeians in check making sure they were fed, kept them amused with games, and constantly reminded them that he was protecting them from the oppression of the nobiles.

Augustus became the "leader of a large and well organized political party as the source and fount of patronage and advancement."

Recommended reading for those interested in Roman history, military history.