**TACITUS, MARCUS CLAUDIUS** (*M. Claudius Tacitus*, *Imperator Augustus*; additional titles from victories [*Gothicus*, *Maximus*] etc.), ROMAN EMPEROR. - Reigned in the years 275-276. The assassination of an emperor of such high military and civil qualities as Aurelianus, while he was leading a great expedition against Persia, left the soldiers dismayed; instead of proclaiming an emperor themselves, they turned to the Senate to take action.
BIBL.: *Historia Augusta*, *Tacitus*, 1-2; *Eutropius*, *Breviarium*, 9, 16; *Zonaras*, *Epitome historiarum*, 12, 27.