Аммиан Марцеллин. Римская история

The work of Ammianus Marcellinus “History”, in the original “Res Gestae” (“Acts”), is one of the most significant in the historical literature of Ancient Rome. This book is a worthy continuation of the tradition of describing historical events that developed thanks to Titus Livy and Tacitus. Moreover, it represents the last outstanding work of this genre, and Marcellinus is rightfully called “the last great historian of Rome.” Unfortunately, until the end of the twentieth century, this work remained little known to the Russian reader, since the only complete edition was translated by Yu. Kulakovsky and A. Sonny was published in a minimal circulation in 1906-1908, and the excerpts included in various collections and anthologies do little to provide a sufficiently complete picture of this work. This publication aims to fill this gap.

Ammianus Marcellinus (lat. Ammianus Marcellinus, around 330, Antioch, Roman Empire - after 395, probably Rome) - ancient Roman historian. He took part in the wars of Rome with the Persians in the middle of the 4th century, and also served in the western part of the Empire. He was a Syrian Greek by origin, but he wrote his only work in Latin.

`History`, or `Acts `Marcellina is a continuation of the famous historical work of Tacitus, which was supposed to cover events from 96 (from the reign of Emperor Nerva) to 378. However, the first 13 books are now lost. Only books 14-31 have survived, telling about the events of 353-378. The main theme of this work is the acts of Emperor Julian the Apostate, the last pagan on the Roman throne. Ammianus Marcellinus was a contemporary of Julian and took part in campaigns under the command of the emperor himself (in 363). Thus, his work represents an eyewitness account, colored with bright artistic colors and imbued with immediate emotionality.

` History ` is rightfully considered one of the outstanding achievements of Latin literature. This publication reproduces the Russian translation by Yu.A. Kulakovsky and A.I. Sonny, re-edited from the latest Latin editions.