Quote of the day by Roman historian Tacitus: "To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they misname empire………….”

Tacitus was a Roman historian, writer, and government official who lived around AD 56 to AD 120, as stated by Britannica. He is widely considered one of the greatest historians who wrote in the Latin language. Tacitus was also known as a powerful writer with a strong and dramatic style of Latin prose. Some of his most famous works include Germania, Histories, and Annals.

The book Germania described the culture and life of Germanic tribes living outside the Roman Empire. His work Histories explained events in the Roman Empire from AD 69 to AD 96. Another major work, Annals, described Roman history from AD 14 to AD 68.

Early life and career

Tacitus was probably born in northern Italy or southern Gaul, which is part of modern France. Historians are not completely sure about his family background or parents. Even though his background is unclear, he grew up in comfortable conditions and received a good education. Tacitus studied rhetoric, which was the art of speaking and writing effectively.


This training helped him prepare for a career in law, politics, and public administration. He studied under famous Roman teachers and orators Marcus Aper and Julius Secundus, as stated by Britannica. After his studies, he started public service through a junior government role called the vigintivirate. He also served as a military tribune, which meant working with a Roman legion’s command staff.

Tacitus as a writer

In AD 98, Tacitus wrote Agricola, a biography of his father-in-law’s life and career. The book praised Agricola but also gave political insights about Roman rule in Britain. In the same year, he wrote Germania, describing Germanic tribes and their society. Tacitus compared the simple virtues of German tribes with what he saw as moral decline in Rome. He believed these tribes could become a serious threat if they united against Rome.

In AD 100, Tacitus and Pliny the Younger successfully prosecuted a Roman governor accused of corruption. Around this time, Tacitus felt public speeches in Rome had lost their true political power. This idea led him to write Dialogus de Oratoribus, a discussion about the decline of public speaking.

Tacitus major historical works

Tacitus later turned mainly to writing history instead of practicing law and public speeches. His work Histories described the political chaos and civil wars in Rome after Emperor Nero’s death. The book originally had 12 to 14 volumes, but only a few parts survive today. It covers events such as the fall of Galba, the rule of Otho, and the rise of Vespasian, as mentioned by Britannica. Tacitus wrote these events with powerful storytelling and political analysis.

Tacitus style and importance

Tacitus became famous for his strong, dramatic, and very concise writing style. His works combined political analysis, storytelling, and character study of powerful rulers. Later historians and scholars studied his works to understand the early Roman Empire. Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus later continued writing history in a style influenced by Tacitus. Today, Tacitus’ writings are seen as important historical sources and also great examples of classical Latin literature.

Quote of the day by Roman historian Tacitus

"To plunder, to slaughter, to steal, these things they misname empire; and where they make a wilderness, they call it peace."

This quote criticizes how powerful empires often destroy lands and then claim they are bringing peace. In very simple words, the quote means that powerful rulers sometimes attack other lands, kill people, and take resources, but they call it “building an empire.”

The quote also says that after destroying a place and leaving it empty or ruined, rulers claim they have created peace there. Tacitus used these strong words to criticize the way the Roman Empire expanded by war and violence. The quote is often seen as a warning about how governments or empires may hide violence behind nice words like “peace” or “order.”

Many scholars believe the quote was spoken in Tacitus’ book while describing the views of a British tribal leader who criticized Roman rule in Britain. The quote remains famous today because it still applies to modern discussions about war, power, and politics.

Meaning of the quote by Roman historian Tacitus

The main idea of the quote is that people in power sometimes give good names to bad actions. For example, taking land by force is called “expansion” or “empire.” Destroying cities and killing people may be called “bringing peace.” Tacitus wanted readers to think carefully about what rulers say and what actually happens in reality. The quote teaches that words used by powerful leaders may hide the truth about war and violence.

Other quotes by Roman historian Tacitus

1. He that fights and runs away, May turn and fight another day; But he that is in battle slain, Will never rise to fight again.
2. Fear is not in the habit of speaking truth; when perfect sincerity is expected, perfect freedom must be allowed; nor has anyone who is apt to be angry when he hears the truth any cause to wonder that he does not hear it.
3. Truth is confirmed by inspection and delay; falsehood by haste and uncertainty. - via Brainyquotes.