Ammianus Marcellinus: Roman History, Volume III, Books 27-31. Excerpta Valesiana

by Ammianus Marcellinus, John Carew Rolfe (Translator)

Ammianus Marcellinus, ca. 325-ca. 395 CE, a Greek of Antioch, joined the army when still young and served under the governor Ursicinus and the emperor of the East Constantius II, and later under the emperor Julian, whom he admired and accompanied against the Alamanni and the Persians. He subsequently settled in Rome, where he wrote in Latin a history of the Roman empire in the period 96-378 CE, entitled "Rerum Gestarum Libri XXXI." Of these 31 books only 14-31 (353-378 CE) survive, a remarkably accurate and impartial record of his own times. Soldier though he was, he includes economic and social affairs. He was broadminded towards non-Romans and towards Christianity. We get from him clear indications of causes of the fall of the Roman empire. His style indicates that his prose was intended for recitation.

The Loeb Classical Library edition of Ammianus Marcellinus is in three volumes.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Classics

624 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 391

About the author

Ammianus Marcellinus (c. 330 - after 391) is the preeminent historian of the Late Roman Empire, whose extant work forms the most important narrative we possess on the Fourth Century A.D. Born of genteel extraction in a Greek-speaking part of the empire, Ammianus served in the army in campaigns ranging form Gaul to Persia before settling in Rome and beginning his literary carreer. Besides shedding light on many events from the reign of Constantius to the calamitous defeat at Adrianople - including striking portraits of emperors Julian and Valentinian - his work offers as well a compelling description of Late Roman society.

Reviews

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final volume covers the cruelties and unwarranted executions by Valentinian and Valens. Death of Valentinian I, succession of Gratian and choice of his little brother Valentinian II. Death of Valens in a badly conducted war, without an heir. Volume 3 only covers part of the rule of Valens. A lot was happening in the Roman Empire to fill the book: court intrigues and politics, and wars mostly in Eastern Europe where the Empire was under pressure from Goths under pressure from Huns.

At the end are attached lives of Constantine and King Theodoric by authors later than Ammianus.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this late imperial history, which goes up to the battle of Hadrianopolis (Adrianople). Also there is the Excerpta Valesiana in this volume, which includes the reigns of Odoacer and Theoderic - cool stuff!