Ammianus Marcellinus

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Ammianus Marcellinus (c. 330 – after 391) was a Roman historian and soldier who is best known for his work Res Gestae, which is the most important historical source for the period of the Roman Empire from the death of the emperor Julian the Apostate in 363 to the defeat of the emperor Valens at the Battle of Adrianople in 378. Ammianus himself participated in many of the events he describes, and his work is valued for its detailed and vivid accounts of the late Roman Empire.

Life

Little is known about the early life of Ammianus Marcellinus. He was born around 330 in the Greek-speaking East, possibly in Antioch. He was of Greek ancestry and served in the Roman army, rising to the rank of a staff officer. His military service took him to various parts of the empire, including the Eastern provinces and the Persian frontier, which provided him with a wealth of experiences to draw upon in his historical work.

After retiring from military service, Ammianus settled in Rome, where he composed the Res Gestae, a history of the Roman Empire in 31 books. Unfortunately, only the books covering the years 353 to 378 have survived. These remaining books provide a detailed and critical narrative of the political, military, and social affairs of the Roman Empire during this period.

Work

The Res Gestae is notable for its detailed accounts of battles, sieges, and speeches, as well as its insights into the character of key figures of the time. Ammianus is often compared to the earlier historian Tacitus for his analytical approach and his pessimistic view of the moral decline of Rome. However, unlike Tacitus, Ammianus wrote in Greek, which was unusual for a Roman historian of his time.

Ammianus' work is also significant for its portrayal of Julian the Apostate, whom he admired, and for its detailed account of the Battle of Adrianople, a disastrous defeat for the Romans which Ammianus attributed to the incompetence of the emperor Valens and his advisors.

Legacy

Ammianus Marcellinus is considered one of the last great historians of ancient Rome. His work provides a crucial primary source for understanding the late Roman Empire, particularly the 4th century. Despite the loss of the earlier parts of the Res Gestae, what remains is invaluable for its depth of detail and its critical perspective on the events and personalities of the time.