Arminius and Flavus across the Weser

summary:

Tac. Ann. 2.9–10 is dense with allusions to Livy's early republican narrative. This paper seeks to show that, when read in light of these, the scene prompts reflection on how Rome has changed since the Republic, specifically, in its relationship to libertas, in its army's reliance on auxiliary forces, and in its acquisition of an empire. The paper further argues that Ann. 2.9–10 is recalled in later passages of the Annals (2.88, 11.16–17) in ways that affect our understanding of the importance of it and its themes within Tacitus's representation of the function of his work.