Justin (historian)

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Justin was a Latin historian who lived and worked during the Roman Empire. His full name and exact dates of birth and death are not known, but he is primarily known for his work, Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus. Pompeius Trogus, whose work Justin summarized, was a Roman historian of the 1st century BC, who wrote in Greek. Trogus' original work, the Philippic Histories, was an extensive history of the known world from the Macedonian Empire of Philip II and Alexander the Great up to Trogus' own time. Unfortunately, Trogus' original text has been lost to history, and what is known of it survives through Justin's epitome, or summary.

Life and Work

Little is known about Justin's life, including his dates of birth and death. His work suggests he lived after the period of Pompeius Trogus, likely in the 2nd or 3rd century AD. Justin's Epitome is not a mere abridgment but also occasionally offers moral evaluations of the historical figures it discusses, providing insights into Justin's own perspectives and the values of his time.

The Epitome covers a wide range of topics, from the legendary origins of various peoples and lands to the detailed accounts of the Macedonian Empire and the Hellenistic period that followed Alexander the Great's conquests. Through his summary, Justin preserved significant portions of ancient history that might otherwise have been lost.

Significance

Justin's work is valuable for several reasons. Firstly, it serves as a key source for the lost Philippic Histories of Pompeius Trogus, offering a glimpse into the scope and content of Trogus' original work. Secondly, it provides historical accounts of various peoples and nations, such as the Parthians, Scythians, and Spaniards, from the perspective of the Roman world. Lastly, Justin's moral and ethical reflections on historical events and figures offer insights into the intellectual and cultural milieu of the Roman Empire during his time.

Textual Transmission and Legacy

The Epitome has been transmitted through various manuscripts, the earliest of which date back to the 9th century. Its survival through the Middle Ages into the modern era underscores its importance as a historical source. Scholars have used Justin's work to reconstruct aspects of Trogus' Philippic Histories and to gain insights into the historiography of the Roman Empire.

Conclusion

While not as well-known as some of his contemporaries, Justin's contribution to the preservation of ancient history is significant. His Epitome remains a valuable resource for understanding the world of Alexander the Great, the Hellenistic period, and the broader historical narrative of antiquity as seen through Roman eyes.