Tacitus: The Histories, Volumes I and II
by Cornelius Tacitus (56–117)
- Free to read
- 8 hours to read
- 9 chapters
- Reading level: 7th grade
"Tacitus: The Histories, Volumes I and II" by Cornelius Tacitus is a Roman historical chronicle written c. 100–110. This gripping work chronicles the turbulent Year of Four Emperors following Nero's downfall, when Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian each seized power in rapid succession. Through dramatic narration and sharp character portraits, Tacitus captures a world of violence, political intrigue, and military chaos. Only the first books survive, revealing how imperial power became dependent on legionary support rather than senatorial authority—a lesson written thirty years after these devastating events.
- Rome · History · Flavians, 69-96
- Rome · History · Civil War, 68-69
Read the opening
I. The Fight for the Throne: A.D. 68
June
9. Death of Nero.
16. Galba, Governor of Nearer Spain, declared Emperor at Clunia.
Fonteius Capito, Governor of Lower Germany, Clodius Macer,
Governor of Africa, and Nymphidius Sabinus, Prefect of the
Guard, murdered as possible rivals. Verginius Rufus, Governor
of Upper Germany, refuses to compete.
October
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About this edition
This free edition of Tacitus: The Histories, Volumes I and II by Cornelius Tacitus comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #16927, released 2005-10-23. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: History - Ancient.
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