The adoption of the emperors in Tacitus and Pliny the Younger

In the article the comparative analysis of the adoption of the Roman emperors in 69 and 97 AD in Tacitus’ “Historiae” and Pliny the Younger’s “Panegyricus” is presented. The events of 69 and 97 AD are compared to determine the similar facts concerning the adoptions of Piso and Trajan by Galba and Nerva respectively. The influence of the official imperial ideology of the I - beginning the II centuries AD on Tacitus and Pliny is under consideration. The political views of Tacitus and Pliny on the problem of adoption are also compared. The author concludes that numerous similarities in Tacitus and Pliny’s narrative of the non-simultaneous events can be explained by the objective historical reasons, the influence of the ideology and Tacitus and Pliny’s political positions. To the author’s opinion Pliny’s “Panegyricus” is a direct declaration of Trajanic ideology including the case of adoption; this ideology being to Pliny’s advantage. Tacitus approved the idea of the adoption of the best successor but he followed official Trajanic ideology in a less degree then Pliny. Galba’s ideology can as well be reflected in Tacitus’ “Historiae”.