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Annals 2

Poulsen, Aske Damtoft LU (2025) p.124-132
Abstract
This chapter offers three complementary perspectives on Annals 2. Section one identifies deceit and deception as the major theme and analyzes how this theme is developed in and connects the various narratives of the book. Section two investigates an example of Tacitus’ historiographical mode that comes to the fore in Annals 2, namely the loosening of the annalistic structure for rhetorical effect, with particular emphasis on how it is used to reinforce the focus on deceit and deception. Finally, section three explores the reader’s experience: How does it feel to read Annals 2? Through analysis of his treatment of the hopes attached to Germanicus (spes Germanici), it demonstrates how Tacitus exploits the tension between ignorant characters... (More)
This chapter offers three complementary perspectives on Annals 2. Section one identifies deceit and deception as the major theme and analyzes how this theme is developed in and connects the various narratives of the book. Section two investigates an example of Tacitus’ historiographical mode that comes to the fore in Annals 2, namely the loosening of the annalistic structure for rhetorical effect, with particular emphasis on how it is used to reinforce the focus on deceit and deception. Finally, section three explores the reader’s experience: How does it feel to read Annals 2? Through analysis of his treatment of the hopes attached to Germanicus (spes Germanici), it demonstrates how Tacitus exploits the tension between ignorant characters and omniscient readers in historiography to devastating emotional effect. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
host publication
The Oxford Critical Guide to Tacitus
pages
9 pages
publisher
Oxford University Press
external identifiers
  • scopus:105016628155
ISBN
9780191915086
9780192894038
DOI
10.1093/9780191915086.003.0011
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
0a676c8b-16a8-4a54-9fbd-4e6d9f01ae73
date added to LUP
2025-11-28 11:13:06
date last changed
2025-12-12 12:48:12
@inbook{0a676c8b-16a8-4a54-9fbd-4e6d9f01ae73,
  abstract     = {{This chapter offers three complementary perspectives on Annals 2. Section one identifies deceit and deception as the major theme and analyzes how this theme is developed in and connects the various narratives of the book. Section two investigates an example of Tacitus’ historiographical mode that comes to the fore in Annals 2, namely the loosening of the annalistic structure for rhetorical effect, with particular emphasis on how it is used to reinforce the focus on deceit and deception. Finally, section three explores the reader’s experience: How does it feel to read Annals 2? Through analysis of his treatment of the hopes attached to Germanicus (spes Germanici), it demonstrates how Tacitus exploits the tension between ignorant characters and omniscient readers in historiography to devastating emotional effect.}},
  author       = {{Poulsen, Aske Damtoft}},
  booktitle    = {{The Oxford Critical Guide to Tacitus}},
  isbn         = {{9780191915086}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{124--132}},
  publisher    = {{Oxford University Press}},
  title        = {{Annals 2}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/9780191915086.003.0011}},
  doi          = {{10.1093/9780191915086.003.0011}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}