SUMMATIVE ESSAY: TACITUS by P.R. Eaton With Tacitus, Ronald Martin manages to position himself in the company of many esteemed historians of ancient Rome and in particular, a special place among noted historians specializing in Tacitus and his voluminous works. Martin presents an argument that is both cogent and clever, as he doesn’t shy away from enjoining other criticisms of Tacitus, but ably presents a fresh perspective worthy of investigation and appreciation. Martin skillfully uses the comments of other contemporary scholars, such as Mommsen, Gibbons, Macaulay and Bury, to argue that Tacitus, for all of his shortcomings, “had the ability to see, and the courage to describe the gulf between public perception and private motive.” [1] [1] Ronald Martin, Tacitus, Tacitus , (London: Bloomsbury Academic, 1981). 243, accessed July 24, 2021. http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.5040/9781472540201.ch-008. [1] Ronald Martin, Tacitus, Tacitus , (London: Bloo...