Ammianus Marcellinus

• 1. Greek Soldier In Roman Ranks

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  Ammianus Marcellinus was born around 330 in the East Mediterranean, possibly Syria or Phoenicia. He belonged to a noble family of Greek origin and called himself Graecus. His native language was Greek, yet he also knew Latin well enough to write history in that tongue. He entered the army at an early age while Constantius II ruled as emperor of the East. Ammianus served under Ursicinus, governor of Nisibis in Mesopotamia and magister militum. He campaigned in the East twice under this commander. His enrollment among the elite protectors domestic shows he came from middle class or higher birth. Consensus suggests he probably came from a curial family. It is also possible his father was a comes Orientis of the same family name.

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• 2. Siege And Survival At Amida

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  In 359 Constantius sent Ursicinus back to the east to help defend against Persian invasion led by King Shapur II. Ammianus returned with his commander to serve again as staff officer. Ursicinus was placed under command of Sabinianus, Magister Peditum of the east. The two commanders did not get along. This lack of cooperation affected border regiments and field armies. While on mission near Nisibis, Ammianus spotted a Persian patrol about to capture Ursicinus. He warned his commander in time. Later Ursicinus sent Ammianus to Jovinianus, semi-independent governor of Corduene. Ammianus successfully located the Persian main body and reported findings. After leaving headquarters at Amida, they were attacked by Persian vanguard during night march. A protracted cavalry battle scattered Romans. Ursicinus evaded capture and fled to Melitene. Ammianus made difficult journey back to Amida with wounded comrade. Persians besieged and sacked Amida. Ammianus barely escaped with his life.

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• 3. Chronicle Of Empire In Decline

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  Ammianus wrote Latin history covering Roman empire from accession of Nerva in 96 to death of Valens at Battle of Adrianople in 378. His work known as Res gestae originally contained thirty-one books. First thirteen books have been lost. Surviving eighteen books cover period from 353 to 378. These constitute foundation for modern understanding of fourth-century Roman Empire. He praised Serapeum of Alexandria in Egypt as glory of empire. Work was presumably completed before destruction of that building in 391. Although many ancient historians claimed impartiality, Ammianus had strong moral and religious prejudices. Critics once said he lacked literary merit. Modern scholars find him quite skilled in rhetoric. This skill has brought veracity of some accounts into question. His handling from earliest printers was little better than manuscript transmission issues.

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• 4. Lost Books And Vatican Manuscript

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  His work suffered substantially from manuscript transmission problems. Sole surviving manuscript from which almost every other is derived is ninth-century Carolingian text Vatican lat. 1873. This copy produced in Fulda from insular exemplar. Only independent textual source lies in Fragmenta Marbugensia. Another ninth-century Frankish codex taken apart to provide covers for account-books during fifteenth century. Only six leaves survive. Before dismantling Abbot of Hersfeld lent manuscript to Sigismund Gelenius. He used it preparing second Froben edition. Dates and relationship disputed until 1936 when R.P. Robinson demonstrated V copied from M. Editio princeps printed in 1474 Rome by Georg Sachsel and Bartholomaeus Golsch. It broke off at end of Book 26. Next edition Bologna 1517 suffered editor conjectures upon poor text. First modern edition produced by C.U. Clark Berlin 1910-1913. First English translations came Philemon Holland 1609 and later C.D. Yonge 1862.

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• 5. Pagan Tolerance In Christian Age

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  Modern scholarship describes Ammianus as pagan who was tolerant of Christianity. He wrote Christianity as plain and simple religion demanding only just and mild actions. When condemning Christians he did not base criticism on their faith itself. His lifetime marked lengthy outbreaks sectarian and dogmatic strife within state-backed faith. Violent consequences often followed especially Arian controversy. Conflicts sometimes appeared unworthy though territory where he could not risk going far in criticism. Growing volatile political connections between church and imperial power limited his scope. He commented no wild beasts so hostile to men as Christian sects generally are to one another. He condemned emperor Julian for excessive attachment to pagan sacrifice. He also criticized edict effectively barring Christians from teaching posts. Ammianus was not blind to faults of Christians or pagans.

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• 6. Gibbon Praises Accuracy And Style

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  Edward Gibbon judged Ammianus accurate and faithful guide composing history own times without indulging usual prejudices. But Gibbon also condemned lack of literary flair calling pencil coarse and undistinguishing. Austrian historian Ernst Stein praised him greatest literary genius world produced between Tacitus and Dante. Kimberly Kagan notes accounts of battles emphasize soldier experience but ignore bigger picture. Result difficult for reader understand why battles had outcomes they did. Work contains detailed description earthquake and tsunami 365 Alexandria. Devastated metropolis and shores eastern Mediterranean the 21st of July 365. Report describes accurately characteristic sequence earthquake retreat sea sudden incoming giant wave. His work remains penultimate major historical account surviving from antiquity preceding Procopius.

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