Tacitus: First Century AD

In the first century AD, Publius Cornelius Tacitus wrote extensive narratives of the Roman Empire over a period of great change. His work concentrated on politics has informed history and the arts for more than 2,000 years.

In this phrase, he encapsulates what we have seen in recent development in apparent democracies. It is ironic, perhaps, that Roman Law is the primary model for the codification of laws, although the Napoleonic Code must also be taken into account.

Codification means that those in power make more laws that they and those close to them consider necessary. That's the basis of EU law and, increasingly, UK, American and Australian law which are becoming more and more authoritarian.

Tacitus' statement reminds us that if power is centralised in the hands of those in power, the more corrupt it becomes and freedom enters a death spiral. When we add in the onerous regulatory regimes that afflict us all, Tacitus seems like both a commentator and a prophet.

So now you know the story behind this t-shirt and canvas, you might think you have a duty to wear it, so as to make sure you continue to have a right.

Or just wear it because it's cool! 

(on the t-shirt we modified the text so it says "government" instead of "state". The canvas and the mug say "state" i.e. the original.)

The Canvas can be ordered framed or rolled.