AMMIANUS MARCELLINUS

born c. 330, , Antioch, Syria [now Antakya, Tur.] died 395, Rome last major Roman historian, whose work continued the history of the later Roman Empire to 378. Born of a noble Greek family, Ammianus served in the army of Constantius II in Gaul and Persia. He fought against the Persians under Julian the Apostate and took part in the retreat of his successor, Jovian. Leaving the army at Antioch, he traveled to Egypt and Greece, eventually settling in Rome. There he wrote his Latin history of the Roman Empire from the accession of Nerva to the death of Valens, thus continuing the work of Tacitus. This history, Rerum gestarum libri (The Chronicles of Events), consisted of 31 books, of which only the last 18, covering the years 353378, survive. It is a clear, comprehensive account of events by a writer of soldierly qualities, independent judgment, and wide reading. Drawing upon his own experience, Ammianus gave vivid pictures of the empire's economic and social problems. A pagan who was religiously tolerant, he took a detached view of the intellectual trends of the day. His judgment in political affairs was limited only by his own straightforward attitude. He used the regular techniques of later Roman historiographyrhetoric in his speeches, ethnographical digressions in descriptions, such as that of the culture of the Huns, and biographical conventions in character sketches along with fondness for literary allusion, overabundant metaphor, and much ornament. In conscious imitation of Tacitus, he wrote with vivid and striking dramatic power.