Source 1 Vellius Paterculus, History of Rome, 2.106.1-3

Question 1

Content

Eulogistic oration, Varus 4 years later

Tiberius connection

Answer 1

Description of Tiberius’ campaign and victory over Germanic tribal forces written as a eulogistic oration or writing; also : formal or elaborate praise. This is written within a history book. The general Varus (considered more an administrator than a soldier) had been defeated in 9CE in the Tuteborg forrest were he was attacked by Arminius a prince of the Cherusci tribe that knew Roman tactics, lured them into an area between a swamp and a hill (Varus warned by Segestes a rival chief). Revenged by Germanicus 9 years later.

Question 2

Form

Flattering panegyric

Answer 2

An historical narrative which is in fact for the most part a flattering panegyric writing on Augustus and Tiberius considered a ‘summary history’ or sometimes referred to as a ‘small work’ . It was written by Vellerius Paterculus who lived between 19BCE and 30AD and this history focuses on the events in Germania 5 CE, several years before Varus’ defeate

Question 3

Context

Germania, Dalmatia, Panonia

Patron

Answer 3

Vellerius Paterculus was a former soldier (Military Tribune in Thrace) and had served under Tiberius in the military actions he describes in Germania, Panonia and Dalmatia (AD4-12). Tiberius was also his patron for this work hence he focused on praise for his patron Tiberius’ and his father Augustus’ actions and exploits. Its view of events was criticised by Tacitus from the safety of the 2nd century, e.g. its praise of Sajanus, Tiberius’ praetorian prefect..

Question 4

Value

1515, Marbach now lost, Bilde von Rheinau

Answer 4

This work is a translation of an original text and rediscovered (but now lost again) in 1515 at the Abbey of Marbach by Beatus Rhenanus (Bilde von Rheinau), The translation is considered badly written by some and contained several errors. It was dismissed by Sir Ronald Syme and most other 20th C scholars, sycophantic to Tiberus, sentences too long too many exclamation marks and rhetorical questions, it is however valuable in presenting the ‘establishments’ view. it is more favourably received nowadays.