Eutropius (historian)
Eutropius ( † after 390 ) was a late ancient Roman historian of the 4th century AD
Life and work
Very little is known about the person of Eutropius. Under Emperor Constantius II, he served well as magister epistularum. Most likely took Eutropius 363 to the campaign of Emperor Julian Persie part ( Breviarium, 10.16 ), under Valens, he served as magister memoriae. More details about him are unknown. However, it is considered likely that Eutropius ' further career led him to high office. So it was, when the names of equation is applicable, 380 praetorian prefect of Illyricum, and then held together with 387 Emperor Valentinian II consulate. However, the identification of the historian Eutropius with other known persons of the same name is problematic. He probably died shortly after 390.
His written in Latin historical work, which is entitled Breviarium urbe condita from and includes ten short books, published in the reign of Valens, who had given it in order and it was dedicated. As he generally does not address Christianity, Eutropius is considered pagan author. He was keen to show the greatness of Rome in a time in which the supposedly apparent decline of the empire. Its ruched, written in good Latin representation of Roman history ranging from the mythical founding of Rome 753 BC to the throne of the emperor Valens ( 364). The work is part of the so-called Breviarienliteratur that the need this time was justice for scarce historical works in the 4th century. Despite its brevity, it provides some important information and is quite objectively written.
Eutropius has very likely used a Liviusepitome as a source for the Republican period. For the imperial period he used probably a summary of the Emperor Biographies Suetonius, and mainly the Enmannsche imperial history. For the end of the work he was able to draw on their own experiences.
As early as 380, the work was translated into Greek. It enjoyed wide distribution in East and West. It was used by many later authors, such as by the anonymous authors of the Epitome de Caesaribus and the Historia Augusta. Even Jerome used the plant as well as Cassiodorus and Jordanes. Paul the Deacon, and a certain Landulfus Sagax led in the Middle Ages the work continues ( until the middle of the 6th century and up to the early 9th century ). It was a popular school curriculum in the 19th century.
Editions and translations
- Harold W. Bird: The Breviarum Ab Urbe Condita of Eutropius. Translated Texts for Historians. Liverpool 1993 (English translation with detailed introduction and good comment ).
- Friedhelm L. Müller: Eutropii Breviarium urbe condita from - Eutropius, Brief history of Rome since its foundation ( 753 BC -364 AD). Introduction, text and translation, notes, index nominum a) geographicorum b ) historicorum. Stuttgart 1995.
- Stéphane Ratti: Les empereurs romains d' Auguste à Dioclétien dans le Bréviaire d' Eutrope. Les livres 7 à 9 you Bréviaire d' Eutrope: introduction, traduction et commentaire. Paris 1996 ( French translation of Books 7-9 with comment ).
- Hans Droysen (ed.): Auctores antiquissimi 2: Eutropi Breviarium urbe condita cum from versionibus Graecis et Pauli Landolfique additamentis. Berlin 1879 ( Monumenta Historica Germaniae, digitized )