Tacitus: Miniposts test 1

The Life of Tacitus presents the peculiarity, somewhat rare among great writers, that he was late in undertaking the branch of literature in which he was to win distinction.  For long he was but an orator and politician ; he was close on forty-five,1 he had just been consul, when he published his first historical books. This tardy commencement was not without causing him some disquietude, since in entering upon the Agricola he believes himself bound to apologise for his inexperience ; he seems afraid that his voice may appear harsh and uncouth.2 I do not think, however, that the public which read the work on its publication can have perceived that the author had any need of indulgence. Does this imply that he suddenly blossomed forth as a historian ? Such abrupt vocations are rare, and it were better to believe that, without being directly prepared for the part, he was ready to assume it, thanks to his former studies and the very conditions in which he had lived. To understand how this came to pass, and from whence proceeded that obscure preparation which in him developed an unselfconscious talent, it would be necessary to revert to his earliest years. Unfortunately they are very little known; Tacitus is one of the few writers who do not care to entertain the reader with their own personality. This reticence does him much honour, but it is a disadvantage to those who study his life. To know anything of it at all we are reduced to the very rare confidences which escape him, and to some details coming from his friends.