I have thus described the fortunes of the Romans in their wars up to the present day, as far as possible assigning the description of events to their proper times and places.

What follows will not be arranged with the same exactness, but everything shall be written down as it took place throughout the whole extent of the Roman empire.

My reason for this is, that it would not have been expedient for me to describe these events fully while those who were their authors were still alive; for, had I done so, I could neither have escaped the notice of the multitude of spies, nor, had I been detected, could I have avoided a most horrible death; for I could not even have relied upon my nearest relatives with confidence.

Indeed, I have been forced to conceal the real causes of many of the events recounted in my former books.

It will now be my duty, in this part of my history, to tell what has hitherto remained untold, and to state the real motives and origin of the actions which I have already recounted.