The inscitia rei publicae ut alienae in the Preface to Tacitus’ Histories Revisited

Abstract

In this article, I aim to challenge previous interpretations of the phrase inscitia rei publicae ut alienae in Tacitus’ Histories 1.1.1, offering a new reading which has been overlooked in Tacitean scholarship. I argue that this phrase reflects Tacitus’ criticism of Augustan historians, who, in distancing themselves from the state, were no longer concerned with state affairs and abandoned historical writing. I trace parallels between Hist. 1.1.1 and Ann. 1.1.2, arguing that both texts refer synchronously to imperial historiography’s decline, which suggests that the inscitia rei publicae ut alienae emerged at the midpoint of Augustus’ reign. The rules that Augustus implemented to enforce the quorum for the senatorial assembly and the penalties imposed for absenteeism in 9 BC offer compelling evidence in support of this interpretation.