Nero's legacy
Nero thought of himself as a strong and powerful King. However, to this day his reign is remembered for its excessive debauchery and tyranny. As such, he doesn't have a positive legacy.
Tacitus' aim
Tacitus' use of language is so descriptive, poetic, and imaginative that some academics have questioned its historical validity. However, Tacitus states in his introduction that his main aim is to provide accuracy.
Historical accuracy
Tacitus is very concerned with being historically accurate, saying that he doesn't want his text to be marred with "either bitterness of partiality." However, since then many historians have argued some of his accounts of historically inaccurate.
"Irony and Misreading in the Annals of Tacitus"
Academic Ellen O'Gorman has written a piece interpreting The Annals as an ironic text. She argues that the text is an ironic portrayal of Julio-Claudian Rome, pointing to textual examples that suggest it is intended to be ironic.
Augustus Caesar
Tacitus seeks to challenge the myths about Augustus Caesar. In The Annals, he argues that Caesar actually brought peace during his reign, despite the fact he is ironically often depicted as a corrupted leader.
