
Emperors and Usurpers
An Historical Commentary on Cassius Dio's Roman History
Andrew G. Scott(Author)
Oxford University Press Inc
Published on 7. June 2018
Book
Hardback
214 pages
978-0-19-087959-4 (ISBN)
Description
This historical commentary examines books 79(78)-80(80) of Cassius Dio's Roman History, which cover the period from the death of Caracalla in A. D. 217. to the reign of Severus Alexander and Cassius Dio's retirement from political life in 229. Cassius Dio, a Roman Senator, provides a valuable eyewitness account of this turbulent period, which was marked by the assassination of Caracalla, the rise of Macrinus, Rome's first equestrian emperor, and his subsequent overthrow, the tempestuous, and by all accounts peculiar, reign of Elagabalus, and the continuation of the Severan dynasty under the young Severus Alexander.
In addition to elucidating important passages from these books, this study assesses Cassius Dio's political life and its relationship to his literary career; his call to history and time of composition; his historical method; and his attitude toward and subsequent presentation of the later Severan dynasty. In its investigation of books 79(78)-80(80), the work assesses an important stretch of Dio's actual text, which for other parts has been preserved largely in epitome and excerpts. Finally, the work aims to fill a gap in scholarship, as no commentary on these books of Cassius Dio's history has been produced since the nineteenth century, and its publication coincides with a renewed interest in the history and historiography of the Severan period.
In addition to elucidating important passages from these books, this study assesses Cassius Dio's political life and its relationship to his literary career; his call to history and time of composition; his historical method; and his attitude toward and subsequent presentation of the later Severan dynasty. In its investigation of books 79(78)-80(80), the work assesses an important stretch of Dio's actual text, which for other parts has been preserved largely in epitome and excerpts. Finally, the work aims to fill a gap in scholarship, as no commentary on these books of Cassius Dio's history has been produced since the nineteenth century, and its publication coincides with a renewed interest in the history and historiography of the Severan period.
Reviews / Votes
It has the appeal of being accessible to those approaching Cassius Dio for the first time, and yet offers the chance to engage with his text in historical terms on a granular level ... It is a worthy addition to the growing commentary set on this extraordinary history and will hopefully prompt further publications in its wake. * Alex Imrie, Plekos * This excellent commentary on the last three books of Dio's history brings the reader to a better understanding of the historian's focus, methodology, and the system of personal experience and belief that inform the whole. * Barbara Saylor Rodgers, The University of Vermont, Bryn Mawr Classical Review *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
490 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-087959-4 (9780190879594)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
04/2018
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€59.99
Available for download

E-Book
04/2018
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€76.49
Available for download
Person
Andrew G. Scott is Assistant Professor of Classical Studies at Villanova University.
Content
Table of Contents
Abbreviations
Map
Introduction
I. Cassius Dio's life and career
II. Texts and citations
III. Cassius Dio as historical guide
IV. Time of composition and the nature of Dio's contemporary history
V. Cassius Dio, Greek annalist
VI. Other sources for the reigns of Macrinus and Elagabalus
VII. Modern scholarship on the reigns of Macrinus and Elagabalus
Book 79(78): Macrinus
I. The structure of book 79(78) and the chronology of Macrinus' reign
II. Sources for book 79(78)
III. Commentary
Book 80(79): Elagabalus
I. Overview and structure of book 80(79)
II. Sources for Book 80(79)
III. Assessing Elagabalus' reign
IV. Historical outline
V. Religion
VI. Elagabalus' demise
VII. Commentary
Book 80(80): Severus Alexander
I. Introduction
II. Commentary
Works Cited
Abbreviations
Map
Introduction
I. Cassius Dio's life and career
II. Texts and citations
III. Cassius Dio as historical guide
IV. Time of composition and the nature of Dio's contemporary history
V. Cassius Dio, Greek annalist
VI. Other sources for the reigns of Macrinus and Elagabalus
VII. Modern scholarship on the reigns of Macrinus and Elagabalus
Book 79(78): Macrinus
I. The structure of book 79(78) and the chronology of Macrinus' reign
II. Sources for book 79(78)
III. Commentary
Book 80(79): Elagabalus
I. Overview and structure of book 80(79)
II. Sources for Book 80(79)
III. Assessing Elagabalus' reign
IV. Historical outline
V. Religion
VI. Elagabalus' demise
VII. Commentary
Book 80(80): Severus Alexander
I. Introduction
II. Commentary
Works Cited