11.02.26: Level 3; Celestial Sphere: from the authors [1] Tacitus

(1) The fate of Tiberius: sealed in one sentence

In Annalēs VI, Tacitus portrays the departure from Rome of the Emperor Tiberius. He is presented as a lonely and isolated figure: Profectiō artō comitātū fuit │ His departure was attended by a small retinue.

The following line appears immediately after Tacitus narrates the departure – which is to be the final exit of Tiberius:

ferēbant perītī caelestium iīs mōtibus sīderum excessisse Rōmā Tiberium ut reditus illī negārētur (Tacitus) │ Experts in celestial matters / heavenly bodies were saying that, by the motions of the stars, Tiberius had departed from Rome in such a way that a return was denied him.

Note: indirect statement with perfect active infinitive

(1) ferēbant perītī … (3) excessisse Rōmā (2) Tiberium │ Experts (1) said … ¦ (2) that Tiberius (3) had departed from Rome [literally: (1) Experts said (2) Tiberius (3) to have departed …

[1] Tacitus’ writing is compact; the action and consequence of that action are conveyed by two verbs: excesisse (departed) – negārētur (denied)

[2] The reference to perītī i.e. ‘skilled’ people as opposed to idle rumour, which adds veracity and mysticism to his narrative

[3] The fate of Tiberius is determined by the stars; the stars prophesy that Tiberius will spend the rest of his life in exile. Therefore, human control is an illusion, which is ironic given Tiberius’ obsession with control.

[4] A moral subtext: the stars articulate what Tiberius’ life choices have already determined i.e. the alignment of character and fate

https://www.heritage-history.com/index.php?c=resources&s=char-dir&f=tiberius

(2) And, according to Tacitus, the stars weren’t working out too well for Nero either …

Inter quae sīdus comētēs effulsit; dē quō vulgī opīniō est tamquam mūtātiōnem rēgis portendat │Meantime a comet blazed (in the sky), about which the opinion of the common people is that it portends, as it were, a change of king.

Tacitus uses the noun in conjunction with sīdus (star), but the word can stand alone:

comētēs, -ae [1/m] or comēta, -ae [1/f] comet; meteor; shooting star; it is also referred to as:

stēlla crīnīta: long-haired star

Does Tacitus believe that comets are portents of disaster? A 21^st century journalist, especially a sensationlist one, will “spice up” his report by adding unverified detail, simultaneously distancing himself (and avoiding litigation) with allegedly or it is rumoured that. Tacitus himself isn’t stating that Nero is to be dethroned – but others think he might be.