Tacitus, Publius Cornelius (AD 55–c. 120)

Roman historian. A public orator in Rome, he was consul under Nerva 97–98 and proconsul of Asia 112–113. He wrote histories of the Roman empire, Annales and Historiae, covering the years 14–68 and 69–97 respectively. He also wrote a Life of Agricola in 97 (he married Agricola's daughter in 77) and a description of the Germanic tribes, Germania in 98.

His texts form the basis for the libretti of two operas. See Incoronazione di Poppea, L' (Monteverdi) and Radamisto (Handel).