Please
read just enough of the history here to get a feeling of what kind of
writer Ammianus Marcellinus was. From what you read, do you think he
deserves more attention than he usually gets? Do you see any particular
strengths/weaknesses? Is the history interesting? Would you like to
read more when you get a chance?
Roman Keyline Blog 2023
Official Blog of History 422--Ancient Rome
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Ammianus Marcellinus (extra credit)
Ammianus
Marcellinus is the kind of writer ancient history graduate students
hear about but don't actually read. I suspect that is because he writes
about that "no man's" land period that neither ancient historians nor
medieval historians are really comfortable with. Well, here's your
chance to join the elite, those who have actually read portions of
Ammianus Marcellinus' Roman History. The
history originally covered all the emperors from Nerva through Valens.
The early sections are no longer extent, and what we have picks up
during the reign of Constantius. There's some good information here on
Constantius, a great analysis of Julian, and good information on
Julian's successors Valens and Valentinian, figures I don't talk about
in class.
Julian the Apostate (extra credit)

Read through "Against the Galileans," and cite here a line or two
Edict of Milan (extra credit)

Constantine and his economic policies (extra credit)

Herodian of Antioch (extra credit)

If you prefer, you might comment on one of the important women leaders, e.g., Julia Maesa or Julia Mamea. You might also like looking at what Herodian has to say about Xenobia, the queen of Palmyra.
You may find the site linked here a bit difficult to navigate. Persevere! Use the "page" button at the top to navigate through the eight *books* of this history looking at the book heading to see which emperors are included in that book. Once you find the right book, click through each of the chapter links to find the material on the emperor you want to talk about.
Marcus Aurelius (Extra Credit)

Suetonius' Lives of the Caesars (extra credit)

For extra credit, please read Suetonius account of any one of the caesars of this period (links above) . Pick an incident from the life of this caesar that shows a way in which Augustus' system (the Principate) can work well, or an incident that shows that system created by Augustus was not working out particularly well.
If you have fallen behind on your blogs, you can add to your extra credit by doing an extra blog entry on a *different* ceasar than you talk about in your first post.
Selections from Tacitus' Histories (Extra Credit)

Sunday, October 22, 2023
Ovid (blog for Thursday, October 28)

If you want to get the overall picture of the Metamorphoses, see this excellent introduction and commentary by Larry Brown.
Virgil--Blog for Thursday, October 26

Cite a line or two from Book I or Book II that particularly well show Virgil's "insight into the human condition," i.e., that shows his understanding of subjects like fate, the relationships between men and women, relationships between men and gods, the impact of war, etc.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)