The remaining works of, Roman historian, TACITUS (c.AD56–c.AD120) are: ‘Agricola’ (a biography of his father-in-law) and ‘Germania’ of c.AD98; ‘Dialogue on Orators’ of c.AD102; and, his two major works, the ‘Histories’ and the ‘Annals’. These two told the story of the emperors, from the death of Augustus, in AD14, to the death of Domitian, in 96. The ‘Histories’, covering the period 69–96 was completed first, c.AD109, the ‘Annals’ c.117. Together, they are known to have comprised 30 books (so says St.Jerome, in his ‘Commentary on the Fourteenth Chapter of Zechariah’). There were probably 12 or 14 books of the ‘Histories’, of which only the first four and part of the fifth survive – dealing with AD69 and some of 70. The ‘Annals’ have fared rather better. There were at least 16 books (perhaps 18). The first four, part of five, part of six, part of eleven, twelve to fifteen, and part of sixteen are still extant – out of 54 years originally covered, 40 years survive. It is particularly unfortunate for British history, however, that the Claudian invasion (AD43) is included in the missing material.

Details of Tacitus himself are sketchy. His full name was either Publius Cornelius Tacitus or Gaius Cornelius Tacitus. He may have been from an upper-class family of northern Italy or southern Gaul. He became a senator, and was a celebrated orator. He was consul in 97, and, in 112–113, governed the province of Asia.