Arrien

See also: Arrien (homonymy)

Arrien (in Latin Flavius Arrianus Xenophon ) is a Roman historian of Greek language of the 2nd century (v.95-v.175). Faithful of Hadrian, he assumes high administrative offices and military within the Roman empire. With died from the emperor, it is withdrawn with Athens to devote itself to the writing of its major works, the Indica and the Anabase . The latter is one of oldest and rigorous descriptions of the military campaigns carried out by Alexandre Large the. Arrien taken the nickname of Xenophon , in homage to the pupil of Socrate. It will be noticed that the majority of its works carry the title of works of Xenophon ( Anabase , Mémorables , Cynégétique …).

Biography

Youth and years of training

Born with Nicomédie, then capital of the province of Bithynie in Minor Asia, Arrien is originally a man of culture and Greek language. His/her parents are the notable ones, who have the Roman citizenship. It is initiated early with the worship of Déméter and Koré, goddesses principal of Nicomédie, of which it will be later Prêtre. To Nicopolis (town of Épire, area of the North-West of the Greece), it follows the lesson of the philosopher Stoïcien Épictète, to which it devotes two works later. In Greece, it binds also friendship with the future emperor Hadrian what supports its political ascendance.

With the service of the Roman Empire

About year 107, Arrien engages as an officer of cavalry. Having thus carried out its military service, essential to be able to postulate with administrative responsibilities, it continues its political career until becoming Consul in Bétique (Spain) towards 129 - 130. Hadrian appoints thereafter it governor of Cappadoce, at the borders of the Empire. To make safe the province, near to the rival empire of the Parthes and to ensure the Roman influence on the Euxine Sea (current the Black Sea), it has two legions. In 134, it pushes back the invasion of the Alains. It is withdrawn with Athens into 138, shortly after the death of Hadrian and is devoted to the drafting of its works.

Works

Stories

Anabase or Forwarding of Alexandre : description of the military campaigns of Alexandre Large the. Arrien draws its source in the Mémoires of Aristobule and Ptolémée Ier and offers most reliable of the ancient accounts (still preserved at our days) of the conquest of Asia.
Indica : complement with the Anabase , inspired partly by the Geography of Strabon.
History of the succession of Alexandre : work reduced to the state of fragments.

Philosophy

Talks of Épictète : stoical text written starting from notes taken at the time of the courses given by Epictète.
Manual ( Enchiridion ): this work, published under the Manual title of of Épictète , brings back like the precedent the stoical principles.

Treaties

Tours of the Euxine Sea : account of the pontic rounds of inspection in Cappadoce.
Hunting : treated on hunting.

Random links: