Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
This volume offers an introduction to the life and work of the 3rd-century-AD Greco-Roman senator and historian Cassius Dio, whose work, although imperfectly preserved in 80 books, is of fundamental importance to our understanding of Roman history. It is often said that due to the sheer size of his Roman history, Dio's analysis is often superficial and imprecise. It has also been assumed that there was no political agenda behind the work, and that Dio's principle value to us is as a reliable copyist, who mediated the works of other, often better sources.
This introduction to his life and work offers a different picture. Here, Dio is presented through his Greek cultural lens, as a politician with a clear vision for how Roman politics and government should be organized. Carefully selected examples are the starting points for fresh critical analysis of Dio's work and its legacy, both in antiquity and through to the Enlightenment.
The book assumes no familiarity with Cassius Dio, his writing or context. All text is translated and suggested further reading points readers towards avenues for more detailed study.