1. Appian of Alexandria c. 95 – 160s CE

2. Appian Background: from Alexandria, a Greek; received Roman citizenship; went to Rome; close contacts with Roman elite; received office under emperor Antoninus Pius. Background: from Alexandria, a Greek; received Roman citizenship; went to Rome; close contacts with Roman elite; received office under emperor Antoninus Pius. A Greek from Egypt with insights into Roman politics A Greek from Egypt with insights into Roman politics

3. Appian Witnessed Jewish uprising in 116/17 CE Witnessed Jewish uprising in 116/17 CE Received Roman citizenship Received Roman citizenship Moved to Rome Moved to Rome Close to Marcus Cornelius Fronto Close to Marcus Cornelius Fronto Became procurator under Antoninus Pius Became procurator under Antoninus Pius Had leisure (otium) and money to write a Roman history in 24 books Had leisure (otium) and money to write a Roman history in 24 books

4. Appian’s work: purpose and audience Wrote in Greek - with a primarily Greek audience in mind Wrote in Greek - with a primarily Greek audience in mind Purpose : ch. 6 - to show how through many civil commotions Rome passed into harmony and monarchy. A history of Rome was not his primary purpose but a necessary introduction and background for his real main purpose – writing a history of Egypt Purpose : ch. 6 - to show how through many civil commotions Rome passed into harmony and monarchy. A history of Rome was not his primary purpose but a necessary introduction and background for his real main purpose – writing a history of Egypt His history of Egypt begins with Rome’s capture of Egypt when Octavian disposes of Antony and Cleopatra His history of Egypt begins with Rome’s capture of Egypt when Octavian disposes of Antony and Cleopatra

5. Appian’s purpose 6 Thus, out of multifarious civil commotions, the Roman state passed into harmony and monarchy. To show how these things came about I have written and compiled this narrative, which is well worth the study of those who wish to know the measureless ambition of men, their dreadful lust of power, their unwavering perseverance, and the countless forms of evil. And it is especially necessary for me to describe these things beforehand since they are the preliminaries of my Egyptian history, and will end where that begins, for Egypt was seized in consequence of this last civil commotion, Cleopatra having joined forces with Antony. On account of its magnitude I have divided the work, first taking up the events that occurred from the time of Sempronius Gracchus to that of Cornelius Sulla; next, those that followed to the death of Caesar. The remaining books of the civil wars treat of those waged by the triumvirs against each other and the Roman people, up to the grand climax of these conflicts, the battle of Actium fought by Octavius Caesar against Antony and Cleopatra together, which will be the beginning of the Egyptian history. (Book I.6) 6 Thus, out of multifarious civil commotions, the Roman state passed into harmony and monarchy. To show how these things came about I have written and compiled this narrative, which is well worth the study of those who wish to know the measureless ambition of men, their dreadful lust of power, their unwavering perseverance, and the countless forms of evil. And it is especially necessary for me to describe these things beforehand since they are the preliminaries of my Egyptian history, and will end where that begins, for Egypt was seized in consequence of this last civil commotion, Cleopatra having joined forces with Antony. On account of its magnitude I have divided the work, first taking up the events that occurred from the time of Sempronius Gracchus to that of Cornelius Sulla; next, those that followed to the death of Caesar. The remaining books of the civil wars treat of those waged by the triumvirs against each other and the Roman people, up to the grand climax of these conflicts, the battle of Actium fought by Octavius Caesar against Antony and Cleopatra together, which will be the beginning of the Egyptian history. (Book I.6)

6. Appian’s Roman History in 24 Books Book 1 deals with regal period Book 1 deals with regal period Rest organized ethnographically dealing with people as Rome conquered them. Rest organized ethnographically dealing with people as Rome conquered them. Book 2 – Italians, 3 - Samnites,..etc., 7 - Hannibal …;10 – Greeks and Ionians; 11 – Syrians (Seleucids), Parthians; 12 –Mithridates VI; 18-21 wars in Egypt; etc., Book 2 – Italians, 3 - Samnites,..etc., 7 - Hannibal …;10 – Greeks and Ionians; 11 – Syrians (Seleucids), Parthians; 12 –Mithridates VI; 18-21 wars in Egypt; etc., Preface, books 6-9, 11-17 survived complete; 1- 5 – have fragments; Books 10, 18-24 lost. Preface, books 6-9, 11-17 survived complete; 1- 5 – have fragments; Books 10, 18-24 lost.

7. Appian’s sources Variety of Greek and Roman authors: Hieronymus of Cardia; Polybius; Roman annalists: Gaius Asinius Pollio; Caesar; Augustus; Variety of Greek and Roman authors: Hieronymus of Cardia; Polybius; Roman annalists: Gaius Asinius Pollio; Caesar; Augustus; since some of his important sources on the Civil Wars are now lost, his history is particularly important for us; since some of his important sources on the Civil Wars are now lost, his history is particularly important for us; Yet, sources cannot be reproduced exactly from his writing since he added much of his own evaluation, reorganization, interpretation of these sources. Yet, sources cannot be reproduced exactly from his writing since he added much of his own evaluation, reorganization, interpretation of these sources.

8. Elements determining the nature of Appian’s history As citizen of Alexandria has different perspective, As citizen of Alexandria has different perspective, His purpose is to write an Egyptian history; history of Rome serves as an introduction His purpose is to write an Egyptian history; history of Rome serves as an introduction Was a supporter of monarchy; very conservative views Was a supporter of monarchy; very conservative views Explains Roman Republican institutions to his Greek audience Explains Roman Republican institutions to his Greek audience Focus on military, finance, administration – thus provides more social and economic information to modern historians than most ancient historians Focus on military, finance, administration – thus provides more social and economic information to modern historians than most ancient historians Admires Rome – explains Rome’s success in terms of Roman qualities: good counsel, endurance, patience, moderation, and virtue. Admires Rome – explains Rome’s success in terms of Roman qualities: good counsel, endurance, patience, moderation, and virtue.