| Ammianus Marcellinus and the Representation of Historical Reality Contributor(s): Barnes, Timothy D. (Author) |
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ISBN: 0801435269 ISBN-13: 9780801435263 Publisher: Cornell University Press OUR PRICE: $99.94 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: October 1998 Annotation: Much of what we know today of Rome in the fourth century has its source in Res Gestae, the sole surviving work of the historian Ammianus Marcellinus. The accuracy of Ammianus' reporting has come under question over the past fifty years, however, and Timothy D. Barnes here offers new grist for skepticism. This is the first book on Ammianus to place equal emphasis on the literary and historical aspects of his writing. Barnes assesses Ammianus' depiction of historical reality by investigating the Res Gestae's strengths and weaknesses, as well as its literary qualities. He examines its structure and arrangement, emphasizes its Greek and pagan features, and points out the extent to which Ammianus drew on his imagination in shaping the narrative. Ammianus, raised as a Christian, became an apostate when Julian seemed to promise a return to traditional religion and values. In Res Gestae he expressed strongly held views, often in vivid and extreme language. Barnes explores the historian's biases and personal prejudices, documenting seemingly intentional distortions and demonstrating that Ammianus advanced a pessimistic and anti-Christian interpretation of the Roman Empire. Barnes disputes the interpretations of many contemporary scholars and urges reconsideration of both historian and history. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Literary Criticism | Ancient And Classical - History | Ancient - Rome |
| Dewey: 937.007 |
| LCCN: 98-19791 |
| Series: Cornell Studies in Classical Philology |
| Physical Information: 1.15" H x 6.38" W x 9.55" (1.30 lbs) 312 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - Ancient (To 499 A.D.) - Cultural Region - Italy - Ethnic Orientation - Italian |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Much of what we know today of Rome in the fourth century has its source in Res Gestae, the sole surviving work of the historian Ammianus Marcellinus. The accuracy of Ammianus' reporting has come under question over the past fifty years, however, and Timothy D. Barnes here offers new grist for skepticism. This is the first book on Ammianus to place equal emphasis on the literary and historical aspects of his writing. Barnes assesses Ammianus' depiction of historical reality by investigating the Res Gestae's strengths and weaknesses, as well as its literary qualities. He examines its structure and arrangement, emphasizes its Greek and pagan features, and points out the extent to which Ammianus drew on his imagination in shaping the narrative. Ammianus, raised as a Christian, became an apostate when Julian seemed to promise a return to traditional religion and values. In Res Gestae, he expressed strongly held views, often in vivid and extreme language. Barnes explores the historian's biases and personal prejudices, documenting seemingly intentional distortions and demonstrating that Ammianus advanced a pessimistic and anti-Christian interpretation of the Roman Empire. |
Contributor Bio(s): Barnes, Timothy D.: - Timothy D. Barnes is Professor of Classics at the University of Toronto. Among his other books is Tertullian: A Historical and Literary Study. |