Tacitus (Latin:Marcus Claudius Tacitus) was probably born around 200. He may have come from Interamna (Terni,Italy).[1]
Tacitus was apolitician from the Romannobility. He was a member of theRoman Senate. He may have been the leader of the senate (Latin:princeps senatus). Some time before 273, long before he was emperor, Tacitus wasRoman consul.[1]
On his way east in September 275 (or possibly in October), the emperor Aurelian was murdered by his own soldiers in RomanThracia. Aurelian's wife, theaugusta Ulpia Severina, may have been in control of the government until Tacitus became emperor.[2]
The Greek historianZonaras wrote that theRoman army chose Tacitus as their emperor. This happened in about November or December 275, while Tacitus was inCampania.[1]
TheHistoria Augusta (a Latin history) says that the Roman Senate chose Tacitus as their emperor. This is probably not correct.[1]
Tacitus was Roman consul for the second time in 276. Tacitus travelled toAsia Minor that year. In the same year, his armies overcame theGoths in a war. In early summer 276 Tacitus got the nameGothicus maximus because of his success against the Goths.[1]
TheHistoria Augusta says that Tacitus had ahalf-brother,Florianus. Tacitus and Florian had the same mother, but different fathers.[1][4] This information may not be correct.[4]
TheHistoria Augusta says that Tacitus had a wife and a number of sons. Their names are unknown and this information may not be correct.[1]
TheHistoria Augusta says that the emperor Marcus Claudius Tacitus was from the same family as the Latin historianCornelius Tacitus. (The historian Tacitus lived in the 1st century AD.) TheHistoria Augusta is not correct. In truth, the two men were not from the same family. TheHistoria Augusta also says that the emperor Tacitus's full name inLatin was:Marcus Aurelius Tacitus. This is also not correct. In truth, the emperor's name wasMarcus Claudius Tacitus.[1]
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