Tacitus Annals- Book 4- chapter 6

translation sourced from

http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0078%3Abook%3D4%3Achapter%3D6

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  • Created by: Lydia22
  • Created on: 16-06-15 10:26
Congruens crediderim recensere ceteras quoque reipublicae partis, quibus modis ad eam diem habitae sint, quoniam Tiberio mutati in deterius principatus initium illeannus attulit.
It is however, I think, a convenient opportunity for me to review the hitherto prevailing methods of administration in the other departments of the State, inasmuch as that year brought with it the beginning of a change for the worse in Tiberius's
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(...)
policy
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iam primum publica negotia et privatorummaxima apud patres tractabantur,
In the first place, public business and the most important private matters were managed by the Senate:
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dabaturque primoribusdisserere et in adulationem lapsos cohibebat ipse;
the leading men were allowed freedom of discussion, and when they stooped to flattery, the emperor himself checked them.
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mandabatque honores, nobilitatem maiorum, claritudinem militiae, inlustris domi artes spectando, ut satis constaret non aliospotiores fuisse.
He bestowed honours with regard to noble ancestry, military renown, or brilliant accomplishments as a civilian, letting it be clearly seen that there were no better men to choose.
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sua consulibus, sua praetoribus species; minorum quoque magistratuum exercita potestas;
The consul and the prætor retained their prestige; inferior magistrates exercised their authority;
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legesque, si maiestatis quaestio eximeretur, bono in usu.
the laws too, with the single exception of cases of treason, were properly enforced.
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at frumentaet pecuniae vectigales, cetera publicorum fructuum societatibus equitum Romanorum agitabantur.
As to the duties on corn, the indirect taxes and other branches of the public revenue, they were in the hands of companies of Roman knights.
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res suas Caesarspectatissimo cuique, quibusdam ignotis ex fama mandabat, semelque adsumpti tenebantur prorsus sine modo, cumplerique isdem negotiis insenescerent.
The emperor intrusted his own property to men of the most tried integrity or to persons known only by their general reputation, and once appointed they were retained without any limitation, so that most of them grew old in the same employments.
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plebes acri quidemannona fatigabatur, sed nulla in eo culpa ex principe:
The city populace indeed suffered much from high prices, but this was no fault of the emperor,
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quininfecunditati terrarum aut asperis maris obviam iit, quantumimpendio diligentiaque poterat.
who actually endeavoured to counteract bar- ren soils and stormy seas with every resource of wealth and foresight.
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et ne provinciae novisoneribus turbarentur utque vetera sine avaritia aut crudelitate magistratuum tolerarent providebat:
And he was also careful not to distress the provinces by new burdens, and to see that in bearing the old they were safe from any rapacity or oppression on the part of governors
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corporum verbera, ademptiones bonorum aberant.
Corporal punishments and confiscations of property were unknown.
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rari per Italiam Caesarisagri, modesta servitia, intra paucos libertos domus; ac siquando cum privatis disceptaret, forum et ius.
The emperor had only a few estates in Italy, slaves on a moderate scale, and his household was confined to a few freedmen. If ever he had a dispute with a private person, it was decided in the law courts.
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policy

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(...)

Card 3

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In the first place, public business and the most important private matters were managed by the Senate:

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Card 4

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the leading men were allowed freedom of discussion, and when they stooped to flattery, the emperor himself checked them.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

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He bestowed honours with regard to noble ancestry, military renown, or brilliant accomplishments as a civilian, letting it be clearly seen that there were no better men to choose.

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