Appian of Alexandria Appian of Alexandria

c. 95 – 160s CE c. 95 – 160s CE

Appian Appian

Background: from Alexandria, a Background: from Alexandria, a Greek; received Roman citizenship; Greek; received Roman citizenship; went to Rome; close contacts with went to Rome; close contacts with Roman elite; received office under Roman elite; received office under emperor Antoninus Pius.emperor Antoninus Pius.

A Greek from Egypt with insights into A Greek from Egypt with insights into Roman politicsRoman politics

AppianAppian

Witnessed Jewish uprising in 116/17 CEWitnessed Jewish uprising in 116/17 CE Received Roman citizenshipReceived Roman citizenship Moved to RomeMoved to Rome Close to Marcus Cornelius FrontoClose to Marcus Cornelius Fronto Became procurator under Antoninus PiusBecame procurator under Antoninus Pius Had leisure (Had leisure (otiumotium) and money to write ) and money to write

a Roman history in 24 booksa Roman history in 24 books

Appian’s work: purpose and Appian’s work: purpose and audienceaudience

Wrote in Greek - with a primarily Greek Wrote in Greek - with a primarily Greek audience in mindaudience in mind

Purpose : ch. 6 - to show how through Purpose : ch. 6 - to show how through many civil commotions Rome passed into many civil commotions Rome passed into harmony and monarchy. A history of Rome harmony and monarchy. A history of Rome was not his primary purpose but a necessary was not his primary purpose but a necessary introduction and background for his real introduction and background for his real main purpose – writing a history of Egyptmain purpose – writing a history of Egypt

His history of Egypt begins with Rome’s His history of Egypt begins with Rome’s capture of Egypt when Octavian disposes of capture of Egypt when Octavian disposes of Antony and CleopatraAntony and Cleopatra

Appian’s purposeAppian’s purpose 6 Thus, out of multifarious civil commotions, the Roman state 6 Thus, out of multifarious civil commotions, the Roman state

passed into harmony and monarchy. To show how these things passed into harmony and monarchy. To show how these things came about I have written and compiled this narrative, which is came about I have written and compiled this narrative, which is well worth the study of those who wish to know the well worth the study of those who wish to know the measureless ambition of men, their dreadful lust of power, measureless ambition of men, their dreadful lust of power, their unwavering perseverance, and the countless forms of evil. their unwavering perseverance, and the countless forms of evil. And it is especially necessary for me to describe these things And it is especially necessary for me to describe these things beforehand since they are the preliminaries of my Egyptian beforehand since they are the preliminaries of my Egyptian history,history, and and will end where that begins, for Egypt was seized in will end where that begins, for Egypt was seized in consequence of this last civil commotion, Cleopatra having consequence of this last civil commotion, Cleopatra having joined forces with Antony. On account of its magnitude I have joined forces with Antony. On account of its magnitude I have divided the work, first taking up the events that occurred from divided the work, first taking up the events that occurred from the time of Sempronius Gracchus to that of Cornelius Sulla; the time of Sempronius Gracchus to that of Cornelius Sulla; next, those that followed to the death of Caesar. The remaining next, those that followed to the death of Caesar. The remaining books of the civil wars treat of those waged by the triumvirs books of the civil wars treat of those waged by the triumvirs against each other and the Roman people, up to the grand against each other and the Roman people, up to the grand climax of these conflicts, the battle of Actium fought by climax of these conflicts, the battle of Actium fought by Octavius Caesar against Antony and Cleopatra together, which Octavius Caesar against Antony and Cleopatra together, which will be the beginning of the Egyptian history. (Book I.6)will be the beginning of the Egyptian history. (Book I.6)

Appian’s Roman History Appian’s Roman History in 24 Booksin 24 Books

Book 1 deals with regal periodBook 1 deals with regal period Rest organized ethnographically dealing Rest organized ethnographically dealing

with people as Rome conquered them.with people as Rome conquered them. Book 2 – Italians, 3 - Samnites, ..etc., 7 - Book 2 – Italians, 3 - Samnites, ..etc., 7 -

Hannibal …;10 – Greeks and Ionians; 11 – Hannibal …;10 – Greeks and Ionians; 11 – Syrians (Seleucids), Parthians; 12 –Syrians (Seleucids), Parthians; 12 –Mithridates VI; 18-21 wars in Egypt; etc.,Mithridates VI; 18-21 wars in Egypt; etc.,

Preface, books 6-9, 11-17 survived Preface, books 6-9, 11-17 survived complete; 1-5 – have fragments; Books 10, complete; 1-5 – have fragments; Books 10, 18-24 lost.18-24 lost.

Appian’s sourcesAppian’s sources

Variety of Greek and Roman authors: Variety of Greek and Roman authors: Hieronymus of Cardia; Polybius; Roman Hieronymus of Cardia; Polybius; Roman annalists: Gaius Asinius Pollio; Caesar; annalists: Gaius Asinius Pollio; Caesar; Augustus; Augustus;

since some of his important sources on the since some of his important sources on the Civil Wars are now lost, his history is Civil Wars are now lost, his history is particularly important for us; particularly important for us;

Yet, sources cannot be reproduced exactly Yet, sources cannot be reproduced exactly from his writing since he added much of from his writing since he added much of his own evaluation, reorganization, his own evaluation, reorganization, interpretation of these sources. interpretation of these sources.

Elements determining the Elements determining the nature of Appian’s historynature of Appian’s history

As citizen of Alexandria has different perspective, As citizen of Alexandria has different perspective, His purpose is to write an Egyptian history; history His purpose is to write an Egyptian history; history

of Rome serves as an introductionof Rome serves as an introduction Was a supporter of monarchy; very conservative Was a supporter of monarchy; very conservative

viewsviews Explains Roman Republican institutions to his Explains Roman Republican institutions to his

Greek audienceGreek audience Focus on military, finance, administration – thus Focus on military, finance, administration – thus

provides more social and economic information to provides more social and economic information to modern historians than most ancient historiansmodern historians than most ancient historians

Admires Rome – explains Rome’s success in terms Admires Rome – explains Rome’s success in terms of Roman qualities: good counsel, endurance, of Roman qualities: good counsel, endurance, patience, moderation, and virtue.patience, moderation, and virtue.