Ammianus Marcellinus: The Allusive HistorianAmmianus Marcellinus is usually regarded as our most important source for the history of the second half of the fourth century AD, while his literary qualities are neglected. This book demonstrates what a subtle and manipulative writer Ammianus is; attention is paid particularly to his rich and variegated intertextuality with earlier classical literature and history. Questioning the prevailing interest in the historian's life as the key to his work, Dr Kelly evaluates the historiographical function of the vivid and thrilling autobiographical passages. The range of Ammianus' allusions is surveyed, including his use of classical examples, his relationship with historical source-texts and the workings of internal echoes within the history. His interactions with other texts are seen as carefully controlled and meaningful; and both his allusive techniques and writing in general, it is argued, are better viewed as reflecting a classical, rather than a late antique, aesthetic. |
Contents
Section 1 | 15 |
Section 2 | 16 |
Section 3 | 19 |
Section 4 | 24 |
Section 5 | 29 |
Section 6 | 44 |
Section 7 | 53 |
Section 8 | 55 |
Section 20 | 214 |
Section 21 | 225 |
Section 22 | 226 |
Section 23 | 230 |
Section 24 | 244 |
Section 25 | 248 |
Section 26 | 253 |
Section 27 | 269 |
Section 9 | 59 |
Section 10 | 79 |
Section 11 | 88 |
Section 12 | 109 |
Section 13 | 118 |
Section 14 | 165 |
Section 15 | 185 |
Section 16 | 201 |
Section 17 | 203 |
Section 18 | 204 |
Section 19 | 207 |
Section 28 | 284 |
Section 29 | 290 |
Section 30 | 292 |
Section 31 | 294 |
Section 32 | 299 |
Section 33 | 306 |
Section 34 | 310 |
Section 35 | 311 |
Section 36 | 313 |
Section 37 | 316 |
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Common terms and phrases
alludes allusion Amida Ammi Ammianus Antioch anus appears argued argument army authors autopsy Barnes battle Blockley called century chapter characters Christian Cicero claim close compared comparison conclusion Constantius contemporary context contrast course death described detail digressions discussion earlier emperor Eunapius Eutropius evidence example exempla exemplum explanation fact first further Gallus give greater Greek Herodian Hertz historian identified implied important individuals interpretation intertextuality Italy Julian knowledge later Latin learning less Libanius literary look lost Matthews meaning mentioned narrative nature noted observed offered original particular passage past perhaps period Persian Plautus possible present protector readers reference relationship Res Gestae Roman Rome Sabbah seems seen Senate ship shows similar soldiers sometimes story suggests Tacitus taken tradition Ursicinus Valens Vergil whole writing