Lik i djelo Publija Kornelija Dolabele referirajući se na Annales Kornelija Tacita/The image and works of Publius Aelius Dolabella with reference to The Annals by Cornelius Tacitus

Abstract

The Annals by Tacitus is the most important and most comprehensive reso- urce about the life and work of Publius Cornelius Dollabela but it must be taken with a grain of salt because of the author’s endeavours to show the governor in the worst possible light. Publius Cornelius Dolabella was a descended of the Dollabela family that belonged to the Roman gens Cornelia. His ancestors were prominent on the Roman political scene, whereas he himself became prominent towards the end of the reign of Augustus and during the reign of Tiberius Caesar. He was appointed consul in 10 AD, and soon after, namely in the 14 AD,  he was appointed governor of the province of the Dalmatian littoral. Dolabella  ended his term as the governer upon his return to Rome in 21 AD which marked his appearance on the Roman political scene for a certain period.  In his work, Tacitus attempted to negatively present the performance of the governor, but at the same time he presented Dollabela as a good governor and clerk. The governor was heavily criticised for his excessive flattery addressed to the emperor Tiberius. The best example of this flattery was certainly Dollabela’s proposal to the emperor to celebrate the victory over the rebellious  Gallic nations, which Tiberius refused. In his work, Tacitus often mentioned  Dollabela as a participant in Senatorial debates, trials and construction undertakings as well as in other public events in the Roman Empire. He also addressed Dollabela’s duty as the governor of the province of Africa, where he finally  managed to end the war with Tacfarinas. Although Dollabela stood out for his  work, Tiberius refused to award him a triumph, which Tacitus considered a great injustice. The last statement about Dollabela in this work is related to 27 AD when Dolabella was mentioned in the case of accusation against Tiberius’  cousin Quintilius Vara. Here Tacitus treated Dollabela with great hostility stating that he had betrayed his entire nation with this action.