Arrian

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Arrian (c. 86/89 – after 146/160 AD), also known as Arrian of Nicomedia, was a Greek historian, public official, military commander, and philosopher of the Roman Empire. His full name, Lucius Flavius Arrianus, reflects his Roman citizenship. Arrian is most famous for his work Anabasis Alexandri (The Expedition of Alexander), a detailed account of Alexander the Great's campaigns, which is considered one of the most important sources on the life of the Macedonian conqueror and the events of his era.

Life

Arrian was born in Nicomedia, the capital of the Roman province of Bithynia. Little is known about his early life, but it is believed that he came from a wealthy Greek family, which allowed him to receive an excellent education. He studied in Athens under the Stoic philosopher Epictetus, whose teachings he would later compile and publish as the Discourses of Epictetus and the Enchiridion.

Arrian's career in the Roman military and as a public official is well-documented. He held several high-ranking positions, including consul under Emperor Hadrian and governor of the provinces of Cappadocia and Pamphylia. His experiences as a military commander, particularly against the Alans, informed some of his later writings.

Works

Arrian's literary output was diverse, covering history, philosophy, and military tactics. His most renowned work, Anabasis Alexandri, is an account of Alexander the Great's campaigns, which Arrian claimed to have compiled from the most reliable sources, including the works of Ptolemy and Aristobulus, both of whom had accompanied Alexander on his conquests. Unlike other historians of his time, Arrian approached his subject with a critical eye, striving for accuracy and impartiality.

Other significant works include: - Indica, a description of India and the voyage of Nearchus, one of Alexander's admirals, from India to the Persian Gulf. - Tactica, a treatise on Roman military tactics, which is notable for its detailed descriptions of the Roman army's formation and maneuvers. - Cynegeticus, a work on hunting. - Periplus of the Euxine Sea, a detailed account of a voyage around the Black Sea, which provides valuable insights into the region's geography and peoples during the Roman era.

Philosophy

Arrian was a devoted follower of Stoicism, a philosophy that emphasized virtue, wisdom, and endurance of pain or hardship without complaint. His works on Epictetus, including the Discourses and the Enchiridion, are crucial sources for the study of Stoic philosophy and offer insights into the ethical teachings that influenced Arrian's own life and work.

Legacy

Arrian's historical and philosophical works have had a lasting impact on the study of Alexander the Great and the Stoic philosophy. His detailed accounts of Alexander's campaigns have made him an invaluable source for historians and scholars, while his compilations of Epictetus's teachings have contributed significantly to the understanding of Stoicism as a major philosophical movement in the Greco-Roman world.