he original Tacitus, the Roman historian and senator, was much like a modern day socio-political-historiographer journalist; if a journalist could become a politician. Tacitus was heralded as one of the finest writers of his day and was best known for deep, though pessimistic, insights into the nature of power. His written work, the Histories and Annals, spanned the reign of the Roman Empire at its heights under Augustus to the beginning of the slow decline from power over the course of the century.
With the upcoming disposal of the current United States president, one whose approval rating is the lowest of any president, ever, and, on the other hand, one of the presidential hopeful's peculiar journey to the candidacy, I offer you a relevant passage from the original Tacitus on the reactions to Nero's death in 69 A.D.:
Welcome as the death of Nero had been in the first burst of joy, yet it had not only roused various emotions in Rome, among the Senators, the people, or the soldiery of the capital, it had also excited all the legions and their generals; for now had been divulged that secret of the empire, that emperors could be made elsewhere than at Rome.
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