The Roman History

TO THE READER.

For he was not merely a common soldier miles gregarius: a rank-and-file soldier, as opposed to an officer or a specialist who knew only how to handle iron weapons; on the contrary, from the entire sequence of his writing, it is evident that he was endowed with the virtues appropriate not only to a philosopher and a historian, but also to an orator. He certainly requires attentive readers, but to those who are practiced, he appears pleasant, refined, and wise. He excels in the invention of narratives, in organization, in his memory of events, and in the sharpest judgment; he makes the reader well-disposed, attentive, and receptive, while he explains matters clearly, evidently, pleasantly, and splendidly.

In the formal speeches original: concionibus. In classical history, it was standard practice for authors to compose stylized speeches for historical figures to reflect their character or the gravity of a situation., an orator is heard; these are brief, clearly expressing the very souls of the speakers. How great is he in his selection of material! He took up a subject not only equal to his own strengths, but also most pleasing to all learned men; it is not a common or lowly subject, but one that is illustrious, serious, and overflowing with examples of every virtue. It is filled with various, unexpected, and nearly innumerable events—admirable and a source of delight (if only the history woven together from the reign of Nerva to the death of Valens The Roman emperors Nerva (reigned 96–98 AD) and Valens (reigned 364–378 AD). Ammianus wrote 31 books, but the first 13, covering the earlier period, are lost to history. had remained for us—a loss no one can sufficiently lament).

Finally, by committing to history things worthy of being known—which are not found elsewhere in such detail and elegance—matters that are illustrious, most worthy of knowledge, and highly useful, his talent (although...