Tacitus and Bracciolini. The Annals Forged in the XVth Century

The author launches a meticulous inquiry into one of history’s most celebrated texts, questioning whether the famed Annals truly belong to the Roman senator‑historian Tacitus. Drawing on linguistic quirks, chronological inconsistencies, and a host of curious details from fifteenth‑century manuscripts, he weaves a picture of a possible Renaissance imposture. The narrative reads like a courtroom drama, inviting listeners to weigh each piece of “evidence” against the long‑held scholarly consensus.

Interlaced with excerpts from contemporary letters and a vivid account of the Florentine scholar Poggio Bracciolini’s secretive world, the investigation balances rigorous analysis with a palpable sense of detective work. By tracing the alleged chain of custody—from the abbey where the manuscript was allegedly copied to the sum paid for its creation—the author equips the audience with the tools to judge the claim for themselves. The result is a thought‑provoking exploration that challenges the foundations of classical historiography without giving away the final verdict.