Tacitus is widely regarded as one of the greatest Roman historians by modern scholars.

The surviving portions of his two major works—the Annals and the Histories - examine the reigns of the emperors Tiberius, Claudius, Nero, and those who reigned in the Year of the Four Emperors (69 AD).

Tacitus' other writings discuss oratory, Germania and the life of his father-in-law, Agricola, the general responsible for much of the Roman conquest of Britain. Tacitus' works are a chief source next to the Bible and the works of Josephus for providing significant and independent extra-Biblical account of the life and crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth.