ammianus marcellinus the later roman empire summary

Although Ammianus was clearly influenced by Tacitus’s Historiae, Cicero is the Latin author he quotes and refers to most often. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Fascinating history, just about the last significant output in the genre from the ancient world. It only encompasses 24 years of the mid to late fourth century, but this bloke was there and witnessed it first hand.

A wonderful chronicle of the later Roman Empire, with scathing reviews of all Emperors and generals throughout. Omissions? Ammianus admired Julian as a man, a soldier, and a leader; yet, although they were both pagans, he criticized Julian’s religious policies.

Ammianus Marcellinus was the last great Roman historian, and his writings rank alongside those of Livy and Tacitus.

So that by the time you get to the battle of Adrianople, the bulk of the material fleshing out the background of the Goth's and Huns, the construction of the Limes on the Rhine and Danube, the incursions by the Franks and Saxons into Gaul and Britain, have all effectively been skipped and replaced with 1-2 sentence long summaries.

Ammianus’s history, Rerum gestarum libri (“The Chronicles of Events”), consisted of 31 books, of which only the last 18, covering the years 353–378, survive. This volume is an abridgment of what remains of Ammanius's full work. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Updates? The Later Roman Empire chronicles a period of twenty-five years during Marcellinus’ own lifetime, covering the reigns of Constantius, Julian, Jovian, Valentinian I, and Valens, and providing eyewitness accounts of significant military events including the Battle of Strasbourg and the Goth’s … Very readable history surrounding the reign of Julian the Apostate. Loved this. New York: Methuen, London, AMS Press, 1974. Marcellinus details the events of the later Roman Empire. By the same token, the passage cannot be said, as it is by Fornara, Bowersock and Barnes, to disprove Ammianus' Antiochene origin. This is a great book that begins about 20 years after the death of Constantine the Great in 337 AD and describes the tribulations of his children. Much of what seems “Christian” in Augustine’s world view really was not: it was just the received wisdom of the age. However, the choices that Editor/Translator Walter Hamilton made in assembling this volume were extremely aggravating and frustrating. He does go on several asides, though I think these add to the character of the work. Ammianus Marcellinus is awesome. The surviving books give a clear, comprehensive account of events by a writer of soldierly qualities, independent judgment, and wide reading. The Later Roman Empire chronicles a period of twenty-five years during Marcellinus' own lifetime, covering the reigns of Constantius, Julian, Jovian, Valentinian I, and Valens, and providing eyewitness accounts of significant military events including the Battle of Strasbourg and the Goth's … You do not need to use outside sources, sources should be cited fully and properly using footnotes in the Chicago Manual of Style format. ]—died 395, Rome [Italy]), last major Roman historian, whose work continued the history of the later Roman Empire to 378. The Empire itself is crushing under the weight of; government corruption, heavy taxation, endless civil wars, and nearby invading tribes. There is also a description of The Later Roman Empire. Drawing upon his own experience, Ammianus supplies vivid pictures of the empire’s economic and social problems. There are aspects of the book that may deter the more casual classical historian, including the obvious tropes and stylistic conventions that Marcellinus copied or adopted from earlier writers such as Tacitus. Ammianus fought against the Persians under the emperor Julian and took part in the retreat of his successor, Jovian. His judgment in political affairs was limited only by his own straightforward attitude. Even though it reads like an excerpt from a larger history (which it is), as long as you have a good understanding of the geography it flows very nicely. Amminaus Marcellinus analysis :The Later Roman Empire. ]—died 395, Rome [Italy]), last major Roman historian, whose work continued the history of the later Roman Empire to 378. I started rooting for the barbarians! For the lover of Roman history who is more interested in social history, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Gibbons is a much more interesting read. Now Ammianus is not Tacitus or Livy in terms of writing style, but he had an advantage over many of these ancient historians; namely, he lived and participated (i.e., was an eye witness) to most of the events he describes. The author and the population at large, have full confidence in Roman supremacy.

Decided to reread this classic of late Roman historiography after reading Donna Tartt's, This volume contains a substantial narrative of political and military events, highlighting major episodes such as the conversion of Constantine, the creation in the East of the pious Christian state, and the resurgence of Roman ambition under the emperor Justinian. Even though it reads like an excerpt from a larger history (which it is), as long as you have a good understanding of the geography it flows very nicely.

Ammianus Marcellinus was as he describes himself 'a former soldier and a Greek.

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