TACITUS (Caius Cornelius), a celebrated Roman historian, and one of the greatest men of his time, was raised for his merit to the first posts in the empire. Vespasian and Titus gave him considerable employments; he became prætor under Domitian, and two years after was made consul in the room of Virginius Rufus in the year 97. But these dignities gave him but a small share of glory, compared with that he obtained by the labour of his pen. There are still extant, 1. Five books of his history. 2. His Annals. 3. A Treatise on the different nations which in his time inhabited Germany: and, 4. The Life of Agricola his father-in-law. There is also attributed to him a Treatise on Eloquence, which is more generally allowed to have been written by Quintilian. Tacitus's other works are lost. Pliny the Younger, who was his friend, and the learned since his time, give the works of Tacitus the highest praises.