by Lawrence McNally
Interactive Tacitus Analysis
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Tacitus - Annals 14.13: The Triumphal Return

tamen cunctari in oppidis Campaniae , quonam modo urbem ingrederetur , an obsequium senatus , an studia plebis reperiret anxius : contra deterrimus quisque , quorum non alia regia fecundior extitit , invisum Agrippinae nomen et morte eius accensum populi favorem disserunt : iret intrepidus et venerationem sui coram experiretur ; simul praegredi exposcunt . et promptiora quam promiserant inveniunt , obvias tribus , festo cultu senatum , coniugum ac liberorum agmina per sexum et aetatem disposita , extructos , qua incederet , spectaculorum gradus , quo modo triumphi visuntur . hinc superbus ac publici servitii victor Capitolium adiit , grates exolvit se que in omnes libidines effudit quas male coercitas qualiscumque matris reverentia tardaverat .
Section 14.13 Translation: However, he delayed in the towns of Campania, anxious about how he should enter Rome, or whether he would find the Senate obsequious and the people affectionate. On the other hand, all the vilest (of his court), of whom there has not existed any other more fertile palace, argued that Agrippina's name was hated, and the support of the people had been fired by her death: he should go fearlessly and experience (the people's) reverence for him face to face; at the same time, they demand to go in advance. And they found circumstances more favourable than they had promised, tribes coming to meet them, the Senate in festal attire, bands of wives and children arranged by sex and age, steps of grandstands set up (on the road) by which he was to proceed, the way triumphs are watched. Hence, he approached the Capitol, proud and conqueror of the public slavery, paid his thanks, and poured himself into all the lusts which, barely contained, respect for his mother, such as it was, had delayed.

Passage Analysis

What Happens

Nero lingers in Campanian towns, anxious about returning to Rome—will the Senate be obedient? Will the people show affection? His worst courtiers (Tacitus notes no palace bred worse) reassure him: Agrippina was hated, her death has inflamed popular support, he should go boldly and experience their reverence in person. They demand to go ahead as advance party. They find reception exceeding promises: tribes coming out to meet him, Senate in holiday dress, wives and children arranged in groups by sex and age, grandstands erected along his route—"the way triumphs are watched." Nero enters Rome "proud and victor over public slavery," goes to the Capitol to give thanks (for successful matricide), then "pours himself into all lusts" which his mother's respect—"such as it was"—had previously delayed. The restraining influence gone, total moral collapse follows.

Key Themes & Ideas

  • Guilty Conscience: The matricide hesitates, knowing his crime—anxiety reveals awareness.
  • Toxic Enablers: "Deterrimus quisque"—the worst people give worst advice.
  • Manufactured Consent: Reception choreographed to look spontaneous—staged enthusiasm.
  • Perverse Triumph: Military victory parade for murdering his mother—heroism inverted.
  • Public Slavery: "Publici servitii victor"—he conquers Rome's servility, not enemies.
  • Moral Dam Burst: Mother's removal unleashes flood of vice—last restraint gone.

Tacitean Technique

  • Opening "Tamen": Links to previous section while marking new phase.
  • Superlative Vilification: "Deterrimus quisque"—absolute moral bottom.
  • Triumph Imagery: Military victory language for domestic crime.
  • Hydraulic Metaphor: "Effudit" (poured out)—vice as flooding liquid.
  • Diminishing Phrase: "Qualiscumque" (such as it was)—even minimal respect now gone.
  • Ironic Sacred Space: Capitol thanksgiving for matricide—holiest place, unholiest act.

Historical Context

Roman triumphs were sacred military processions granted for defeating foreign enemies—specific rituals included the victor processing to the Capitol to give thanks to Jupiter. Tribes (tribus) were Rome's voting districts—their organised appearance suggests political orchestration. "Festo cultu" indicates holiday dress—white togas for citizens, special garments for senators. The arrangement by sex and age mirrors religious processions, giving quasi-sacred atmosphere to matricide celebration. Grandstands (spectaculorum gradus) were temporary wooden structures for viewing processions—treating return like entertainment. The Capitol was Rome's most sacred space, where triumphant generals gave thanks—Nero thanks gods for successfully killing his mother. "Publici servitii" inverts triumph language—instead of conquering foreign enemies, he's conquered Roman freedom. The final image of moral collapse suggests AD 59 as turning point in Nero's reign—from bad to catastrophic.

Questions to Consider

  • What does Nero's anxiety reveal about his awareness of his crime?
  • How do the "worst" courtiers enable tyranny through flattery and lies?
  • What's the significance of staging a triumph for matricide?
  • How does "victor of public slavery" invert traditional Roman values?
  • What does the final flood metaphor suggest about moral restraint?
  • Why does Tacitus emphasise this as the moment of total moral collapse?
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