PREFACE.

THE text of this volume, like that of the former, is mainly that of Halm (ed. 4, Leipzig, 1883)1, but departs from it somewhat oftener, usually in the direction of retaining or approaching more closely to he Medicean readings 2.

In the commentary, I have to add to the acknowledgements made in the first volume that of assistance frequently derived from the edition of Émile Jacob (Paris, 1877) 3, then unfortunately overlooked, and those of Professor Holbrooke (London, 1882), and of Pfitzner, (Gotha, 1885), which, as also a further portion (Fasc. v-viii, pp. 481-928) of Gerber and Greef's Lexicon, have appeared since that volume was completed.

Among new works bearing on the subject-matter in general, the chief place is due to the fifth volume of Professor Mommsen's 'Römische Geschichte' ('die Provinzen von Caesar bis Diocletian,' Berlin, 1885), and

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In the first volume, Halm's third edition (1877) was used; the text of which in several places differs from that of the later recension.

* See notes on II. 24, II; 30, 3; 12. 25, 3; 31, 2; 32, 1; 44, 5; 60, 3; 68, 2; 13. 17, 2; 21, 3 and 9; 34, 5; 47, 4; 56, 6; 14.7, 2; 10, 5; 26, 3; 31, 4; 40, 4; 43, 4; 59, 6; 60, 6; 15. 9, 1; 21, 3; 28, 2; 43, I; 44,6; 45,6; 51, 1; 55, I; 58,3; 68,3; 16. 12, 3; 26, 3. I have also not followed Halm's present edition in

omitting from the title of the work the word 'Annalium,' which, though resting on no authority, seems to have become indispensable from common use.

3 M. Jacob's first volume (Books i-vi.) reached a second edition in 1885.

This date was before the publication, but after the substantial completion, of my former volume.

5 The references are throughout made both to the original work and to the English Translation (1886).

to the third volume (in two parts) of the same author's Römisches Staatsrecht' (Leipzig, 1887, 1888). To both these works great and frequent obligations must be acknowledged, though far fewer than would have been due had I been able to consult them in the Introduction to the previous volume 1.

Many other important sources to which I have been indebted for information bearing on this volume separately or on special parts of it, will be found mentioned in notes prefixed to several portions of the Introduction and to the Appendices 2.

The map of Armenia and the surrounding countries, given at the end, is indebted, as regards its physical features, to Kiepert, but has been adapted to its purpose by the omission of a great number of names not belonging to the present narrative, and by the insertion of several modern names.

It is hoped that the Indices to the whole work here added may be found sufficient for practical purposes. The first includes all the proper names in the text, and such other matter as appeared to be of sufficient importance the second is intended to be supplementary to it, and to relate chiefly to the Introductions and Appendices, leaving the majority of the notes to be found by reference to the text to which they belong.

I cannot but fear that many readers will consider the Introduction and notes to these Books inordinate in length, especially as so much general matter had been treated once for all in the former volume: but for

1 I should also add that in this volume the third edition (1887) of the first and second volumes of the 'Staatsrecht' have been used and referred to. The references in my former volume were to the second edition; the pages of which are indicated on the margin of the third. Also in my

former volume the first, in the present the second edition, of the second and third volumes of Marquardt's 'Staatsverwaltung' are referred to.

2 See pp. 1, 5, 19, 49, 96, 126, 208, 570, 629.

this apparent excess I believe that some justification can be offered.

It should be borne in mind that the whole time covered is somewhat longer; the narrative having been supplemented by summaries1 so as to extend over the thirty-one years from the death of Tiberius to that of Nero. Also this period is far more fruitful in important events and has attracted considerably more notice from recent writers than that preceding it. The full investigation of the life and rule of Claudius by Lehmann 2, and the still more learned and elaborate treatise of H. Schiller on the Neronian period 3, have no counterpart on a similar scale relating to the time of Tiberius. Special attention has also been bestowed by recent scholars on the narrative of Eastern affairs during this period; and the chapters relating to the conquest of Britain, though but a small portion of the narrative of Tacitus, have deeply interested all antiquaries in this country, and form a subject on which more is naturally expected from an English than from a German editor of the Annals. Even the single chapter, or portion of a chapter, on the persecution of the Christians, has received special attention from the chief recent ecclesiastical historians, and has raised many questions which could not be here passed over ".

Under these circumstances it has seemed desirable to place before general students such a statement and criticism of the chief results of special investigation in these subjects as could be fairly based on the narrative of

1 See Introd. ch. ii. and Appendix iii. 2 See note on p. 5.

* See note on p. 49. The importance of this work and that above mentioned will be seen from the constant references made to them.

• See note on p. 96.

5 See note on p. 126. It may be also noted that, both in this chapter of the Introduction and in that on Parthia and Armenia, the whole period is reviewed from the death of Julius Caesar to that of Nero.

See Appendix ii. after Book 15.

Tacitus, and should help them to estimate the general value of his work as a historical authority. I may add that it has also been my wish to make as complete as I fairly could the commentary on a part of the author which is not generally so much studied in England as to be likely often to encourage the undertaking of fresh editions by future scholars.

In conclusion, I have to return my best thanks to the Delegates of the University Press for accepting this work, and to their staff for the care and accuracy shown in the printing and revision.

LOWER HEYFORD RECTORY, OXFORDSHIRE:

June, 1891.

CORRECTIONS.

Page 32, note 15, for 11. 8, 1, read 11. 18, 1.

97, line 2, for Atrabanus read Artabanus.

line 15, for to any other part of the empire, read on any other frontier of

the empire.

,,377, note on 1. 10, for c. 48, 7, read c. 42, 7.