Ammien Marcellin

Ammien Marcellin (born towards 330 - 335 with Antioche - died around 395 (and before 400) probably with Rome) was more important historians of the late Antiquité. Although of Greek origin, he wrote in Latin, he is besides the last large historian ancient to use this language It is also one of the last major pagan authors.

Ammien is the author of LMBO Gestæ (History) covering one period going of 96 with 378. Only the part going of 353 with 378 was preserved, but it is about the most detailed part of work: it accounts for seventeen of the thirty-one books which LMBO Gestae included/understood. This preserved part treats period when the Great invasions began, period that knew Ammien, soldier under the reigns of Constance II and of Julien the Apostate. More than of other ancient historians, Ammien endeavors to be objective, well some of its positions are clearly expressed.

Empire at the time of Ammien Marcellin

With the birth of Ammien, Constantin reign on the reunified Empire. All in all, the control of the borders is assured. During last months of his life, Constantin prepares even a campaign against the Empire Sassanide, but death the empèche to conclude forwarding.

However, the Empire has many problems with the courses IVe century, as well interior as extérieues. Since 337/338, the state of war is almost permanent in the East. Persians invade the Eastern provinces again. In the West, Gaulle is submerged by the Germanic invasions. Usurpers, such Magnence, seize the power. The Empire is maintained, but with difficulty.

Deep religious changes occur. Christianity, repressed hitherto, is supported by Constantin. During the century, it successively is protected or fought by the various sovereigns. There exist moreover various doctrines inspired by the Gospels, and they are opposed sometimes bitterly. The report/ratio of the policy to the monk takes a new significance. Ammien is not favorable to Christianity, but it shows greater tolerance than much of authors of its time.

Biography

One knows few things on Ammien, although its work can provide some information. Ammien was born towards 330 with Antioche in Syria, one of the most important cities of the Empire. It probably comes from a fortunate Greek family. It seems to have a very good knowledge of the Greek and Latin literature. At twenty years, he becomes officer in the army where he is useful like Protector domesticus : he was to accompany and protect personally his superior the Magister militum Ursicin. It is supposed that Urscicin was the guard of Ammien.

Ammien takes part in delicate missions as a Gaulle (356-357) and in the Persian border. After the defeat of Amida, Ursicin is relieved, and the military career of Ammien stops temporarily. It definitively leaves the army with dead of the emperor Julien on June 26th 363, at the time of a battle against Persians.

At this point in time it starts its literary career. After being last by Antioche or in Thrace, it settles in Rome after 375, and successfully reads its Histoire which it then incorporates in LMBO gestæ that it composes of 375 to 395.

Work

Ammien composes its LMBO Gestae between 380 and 395.

According to the author even (delivers 31 to him), LMBO Gestae began into 96, year of the come to power of Nerva (and year when are completed the Histoires the Tacit one). They go until the Bataille of Turkey-red cotton into 378.

On the 31 pounds which its work counted, the 13 first are lost. It is known only that they constituted a fast summary and of second hand of the period 96-353. The 18 last are an account meticulous person, for all the Empire, of the period 353-378.

Approximate contents of the eighteen preserved books:

14-16: fall of Constantius Gallus. Julien is named César as a Gaulle.
17-19: Julien makes safe the border on the Rhine. Constancy II campaign against Persians.
20-22: Julien is made Auguste. Events until the death of solitary Constancy II then reign of Julien up to 362.
23-25: countryside against Persians and died of Julien. Short reign and died of Jovien.
26: Valentinien Ier and Valens share the capacity.
27-30: In the west, campaigns and died of Valentinien Ist In the east, reigns of Valens.
31: Goths, in escape in front of the huns, settle in the Empire. Battle of Turkey-red cotton.

The interest of Ammien goes especially towards the fight between Romans and barbarians, the interior policy and the behavior of the emperors. It draws through its accounts a general picture of Rome and the East.

The facts are represented in a lucid way; Ammien often lived them. It generally avoids the gossip and tries to preserve a certain political objectivity; there remains about neutral with regard to Christianity.

It is felt sometimes that Latin is not his native tongue. Its speech often takes colors tragic, epic, even romantic. Its hero is the pagan emperor Julien.

Sources

Bibliographical resources

Pierre-Marie Camus, Ammien Marcellin, witness of the cultural and religious currents at the end of IVe century , Paris, 1975.
Hubert Zehnacker and Jean-Claude Fredouille, Latin Literature , PUF, coll “Quadriga Handbooks”, pp. 426-8, 1993.

External bonds

Works of Ammien Marcellin (The Latin library)
Presentation by Jean-Marie Hannick
Six presentations modern of the '' Histoires '' of Ammien Marcellin
History of Rome, delivers XVII

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