Many details of Cornelius Tacitus’ life and career (fl. 100–110 CE), including his dates of birth and death and even his first name (probably Publius), are unknown or uncertain. He was born to a senatorial family, probably in the 50s CE, perhaps in southern Gaul. He rose to political prominence under Domitian, serving as praetor in 88 CE, and remained active under Nerva and Trajan, serving as consul in 97 CE and proconsul of Asia in 112–113 CE (where he may first have encountered Christians: Fuchs, 1950, 72–73n11). His major works are the Histori…