Herodian
- For the grammarian see Aelius Herodianus.
- For the Prince of Palmyra in the third century, see Septimius Herodianus.
Herodian, Herodianos or Herodianus (* probably around 178; [? ] † 250 ) was a Greek- Roman historian of the late Principate. It probably originated in Syria or Asia Minor, and was perhaps an imperial freedman ( libertus ), who worked in the Roman Empire in the Low Administration. He wrote in ancient Greek, a Roman History ( Ἱστωρία Ῥωμαῖα ) in eight books over the years 180-238, by the death of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius to the beginning of the reign of Emperor Gordian III. handed.
Herodian historical work
Herodian historical work in eight books is traditionally considered very critical in research and was even describes as " more of a historical novel than a work of history ." It is not reliable, especially in the earlier sections, because he did not check all his sources carefully and obviously many details freely invented, especially since he will hardly have had access to official records. From today's perspective it is considered to be preachy - for example, by its reference to the stylized as Ideal Emperor Marcus Aurelius - and tendentious, but the work is also seen as multi-faceted and is in literary terms not without its charm. The report of Elagabalus is sometimes rated higher than that of Cassius Dio, Herodian though is probably largely dependent on the description of the events to 228/29 of Cassius Dio ( although this is not without controversy in the research). Even otherwise Herodian, especially for the period after 229, a not unimportant source; Dios because work is not completely preserved, this part applies to the years before. At the same time provides Herodians work in ancient history research before various problems. His statements should therefore be treated with great caution, although more recently the opinion is expressed Herodians work differs basically less than that assumed by the other ancient historian.
Late antique historians such as Ammianus Marcellinus and the unknown author of the Historia Augusta have Herodian used as the source. When exactly Herodians work was written, is unclear, probably it was only after the death of Emperor Gordian III. (244 ) written. A connection with the 1000 anniversary of Rome in the year 248 is possible, but also a formation of 260 is discussed. With the end of the treated Herodian period then begins a phase of Roman history to Ammianus Marcellinus, about which one has knowledge only by late and mostly still far less reliable historical works, but not by contemporary accounts.
Editions and translations
- Herodianus: From excessu divi Marci libri octo. Edited by Kurt Stavenhagen ( Bibliotheca scriptorum Graecorum et Romanorum Teubneriana ). Stuttgart 1967.
- Friedhelm Müller ( translator's ): Herodian. History of the Empire after Marcus Aurelius. Stuttgart 1996. ( Unfortunately, not all error-free edition and translation. )
- Adolf Stahr ( translator's ): Herodian 's history of the Roman Empire since Marcus Aurelius. Stuttgart 1858; online at Google Book Search.
- C. R. Whittaker ( translator's ): Herodian. With an English translation. Loeb Classical Library. 2 vols, Heinemann, London 1969. ( With excellent introduction and commentary. )