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The Historians of Late Antiquity: A Detailed Exploration of Their Lives, Works, and Impact on Our Understanding of the Period

Milan Kundera

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The late antique period, spanning from the third to the seventh centuries CE, was a time of great change and upheaval in the Roman Empire. The empire's borders were under constant pressure from barbarian invasions, and the empire itself was divided into east and west. The Christian church was also undergoing a period of rapid growth and change, and its relationship with the state was often tense.

In the midst of all this turmoil, a number of historians emerged who chronicled the events of their time. These historians, known as the "historians of late antiquity," left behind a valuable record of the period that is essential for understanding its history.

The Historians of Late Antiquity

by David Rohrbacher

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The most famous of the historians of late antiquity is Ammianus Marcellinus. Ammianus was a Roman soldier who served in the army of the emperor Julian the Apostate. After Julian's death, Ammianus retired from the army and wrote a history of the Roman Empire from the reign of the emperor Nerva to the death of Valens in 378 CE. Ammianus's history is a valuable source of information on the military and political history of the late empire.

Another important historian of late antiquity is Zosimus. Zosimus was a Greek historian who wrote a history of the Roman Empire from the reign of Augustus to the sack of Rome by the Visigoths in 410 CE. Zosimus's history is particularly valuable for its account of the reign of the emperor Constantine the Great.

A third important historian of late antiquity is Procopius of Caesarea. Procopius was a Byzantine historian who wrote a history of the reign of the emperor Justinian. Procopius's history is a valuable source of information on the wars of Justinian against the Persians and the Vandals.

The historians of late antiquity were not always objective observers of the events they recorded. Ammianus, for example, was a pagan who was hostile to Christianity. Zosimus was a supporter of the Roman Empire who was critical of the emperors who converted to Christianity. Procopius was a Byzantine official who was loyal to the emperor Justinian.

Despite their biases, the historians of late antiquity provide us with a valuable record of the period. Their works are essential for understanding the political, military, and religious history of the late Roman Empire.

The Life and Work of Ammianus Marcellinus

Ammianus Marcellinus was born in Antioch, Syria, in the early fourth century CE. He was the son of a wealthy landowner, and he received a good education. Ammianus served in the Roman army for many years, and he fought in campaigns against the Persians and the Sarmatians.

After retiring from the army, Ammianus settled in Rome, where he began to write his history of the Roman Empire. Ammianus's history is divided into 31 books, and it covers the period from the reign of the emperor Nerva to the death of Valens in 378 CE.

Ammianus's history is a valuable source of information on the military and political history of the late empire. Ammianus was a careful observer of the events he recorded, and he provides detailed accounts of the battles and campaigns he witnessed. Ammianus was also a fair-minded historian who was not afraid to criticize the emperors he wrote about.

Ammianus's history was not without its critics. Some of his contemporaries accused him of being too critical of the emperors, and others accused him of being too pro-pagan. However, Ammianus's history has stood the test of time, and it is now considered one of the most important sources for the history of the late Roman Empire.

The Life and Work of Zosimus

Zosimus was born in Constantinople in the late fourth century CE. He was the son of a wealthy family, and he received a good education. Zosimus held a number of government positions, and he was also a member of the senate.

Zosimus wrote a history of the Roman Empire from the reign of Augustus to the sack of Rome by the Visigoths in 410 CE. Zosimus's history is divided into six books, and it is based on a variety of sources, including the works of earlier historians such as Tacitus and Dio Cassius.

Zosimus's history is a valuable source of information on the political and military history of the late empire. Zosimus was a supporter of the Roman Empire, and he was critical of the emperors who converted to Christianity. However, Zosimus was also a fair-minded historian who was not afraid to criticize the emperors he wrote about.

Zosimus's history was not without its critics. Some of his contemporaries accused him of being too critical of the emperors, and others accused him of being too pro-pagan. However, Zosimus's history has stood the test of time, and it is now considered one of the most important sources for the history of the late Roman Empire.

The Life and Work of Procopius of Caesarea

Procopius of Caesarea was born in Caesarea, Palestine, in the early sixth century CE. He was the son of a wealthy lawyer, and he received a good education. Procopius served as a secretary to the general Belisarius, and he accompanied Belisarius on his campaigns against the Persians and the Vandals.

Procopius wrote a history of the reign of the emperor Justinian. Procopius's history is divided into eight books, and it covers the period from Justinian's accession to the throne in 527 CE to his death in 565 CE.

Procopius's history is a valuable source of information on the wars of Justinian against the Persians and the Vandals. Procopius was an eyewitness to many of the events he recorded, and he provides detailed accounts of the battles and campaigns he witnessed. Procopius was also a fair-minded historian who was not afraid to criticize the emperors he wrote about.

Procopius's history was not without its critics. Some of his contemporaries accused him of being too critical of the emperors, and others accused him of being too pro-pagan. However, Procopius's history has stood the test of time, and it is now considered one of the most important sources for the history of the late Roman Empire.

The Impact of the Historians of Late Antiquity

The historians of late antiquity have had a major impact on our understanding of the period. Their works provide us with a valuable record of the political, military, and religious history of the late Roman Empire. The historians of late antiquity also provide us with insights into the lives and thoughts of the people who lived during this turbulent time.

The historians of late antiquity are essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the history of the late Roman Empire. Their works are a valuable source of information on the political, military, and religious history of the period. The historians of late antiquity also provide us with insights into the lives and thoughts of the people who lived during this turbulent time.

The Historians of Late Antiquity

by David Rohrbacher

5 out of 5