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).