Dexippus
Greek historian, statesman and general (c. 210–273) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Publius Herennius Dexippus (Greek: Δέξιππος; c. 210–273 AD), Greek historian, statesman and general, was an hereditary priest of the Eleusinian family of the Kerykes, and held the offices of archon basileus and eponymous in Athens.[1]
.jpg)
Life
Summarize
Perspective
When the Heruli overran Greece and captured Athens (267), Dexippus showed great personal courage and revived the spirit of patriotism among his fellow countrymen. A statue was set up in his honour, the base of which, with an inscription recording his services, has been preserved.[2] It is remarkable that the inscription is silent as to his military achievements.[1]
Photius speaks very highly of the style of Dexippus, whom he calls a second Thucydides.[1][3]
Works
Photius (cod. 82) mentions three historical works by Dexippus, of which considerable fragments remain:
- Τὰ μετ᾽ Ἀλέξανδρον (The Events after Alexander), apparently an epitome of a work by Arrian
- Σκυθικά (Scythica), a history of the wars of Rome with the Goths (called Scythians in archaizing language) in the 3rd century
- Χρονικὴ ἱστορία (Chronike Historia) in twelve books, probably covering a thousand years to the reign of the emperor Claudius Gothicus (270)[1]
The Chronicle was continued by Eunapius of Sardis, who opens his own history with a critique of his predecessor. The Chronicle also appears to be the primary source of the Historia Augusta[4] between 238 and 270, but Paschoud has demonstrated that the author of the Historia Augusta sometimes attributes material to Dexippus falsely and so that evidence must be used with caution.[5]
References
Sources
External links
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.