TO THE READER

...[clearly] reminding us of those things which happened by design, by rashness, by chance, or by divine providence. Wisely revealing these, and having explained the reasons for what was well done and approving of them, he briefly censures the opposite. That is, he teaches us what benefit original: fructum; literally "fruit," referring to the moral or practical lessons derived from the study of history. we can and ought to gather from this history. Yet he does so modestly, without any vanity of spirit, as befits a good and prudent historian original: historicum, rather than acting as an orator original: oratorem or a philosopher original: philosophum.

To his care for the facts original: rerum; referring to the objective historical events or "things" as opposed to the "words" used to describe them. he joined a consideration for words, and he maintained a style original: rationem; here referring to the method, account, or rhetorical character of his writing. most suited (if I am not mistaken) to his era, his spirit, his natural talent, and his subject matter. Since it might seem necessary to discuss this style at greater length—should Ammianus perhaps fall under the criticism of some—let us set that discussion aside for now.

Whatever small effort original: opellæ; a diminutive of opera, this is a "modesty trope" common in the early modern period where an editor downplays their labor as a "little work." of ours has been devoted to Ammianus, we desire that it be entirely dedicated to your most illustrious name, distinguished sir, and to your singular benevolence toward us and our studies.