What years does the Annals by Publius Cornelius Tacitus cover?
The Annals covers the years AD 14 through AD 68. This period spans from the death of Augustus Caesar to the end of Nero's reign.
Questions about Annals (Tacitus)
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How many books did Publius Cornelius Tacitus originally write in the Annals and how many survive today?
The work originally contained sixteen books yet only parts of six survive today. Books seven through ten are entirely lost along with portions of five and twelve.
Where were the surviving manuscripts of the Annals discovered and when?
Books one through six of the Annals were found at Corvey Abbey in Germany in 1508. Giovanni Angelo Arcimboldi discovered this manuscript before becoming Archbishop of Milan.
Did Publius Cornelius Tacitus have access to official records for writing the Annals?
Modern scholars believe Tacitus had access to Acta Senatus records as a Roman senator. These senate minutes provided a solid foundation for his narrative.
Who claimed the entire Annals was forged by Poggio Bracciolini and when?
In 1878 John Wilson Ross claimed the entire work was forged by Poggio Bracciolini. No evidence supports the theory that Bracciolini created the forgery.