A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca

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Second and Third Centuries A.D. 321
the brotherhood of man and the loving goodness of God
the all-wise Father. His Discourses were written down
by a pupil, Arrian, whose Anabasis of Alexander has al- P- 75-
ready been mentioned.
In Arrian's generation Appian of
Alexandria wrote a narrative History of Rome. It is true Appian,
that he was uncritical, yet we find much valuable in- 175.
formation in the parts of his work which are still extant.
Somewhat later Marcus Aurelius composed in Greek his Marcus
Meditations, philosophic thoughts written down by the 121-180.'
Stoic emperor without order, just as they occurred to him.
To the period following his reign belongs the active life of
Dio Cassius of Bithynia. Although a Greek, he became Dio Cassius,
a Roman senator and held various important administra- 240.
tive offices.
This experience in practical affairs was of the
greatest value to him as a historian. He composed in
Greek a History of Rome in eighty books, extending from
the earliest times to 229 A.D. The work shows remarkable
insight and judgment. We have books xxxvi-lx entire,
with fragments and an abridgment of the rest. The
period following Marcus Aurelius,
iSo-228 A.D., represented
by fragments of Dio Cassius, is covered in the
History of the Empire Since Marcus A urelius by Herodian,
a Greek who lived somewhat later. 255.
Herodian,
Several minor sources deserve briefer mention. Florus, Minor
sources.
whose time and country are unknown, composed in a
highly rhetorical style an Epitome of Roman History from
the founding of the city to the beginning of the empire.
At the request of Valens, Eutropius wrote a dry Compendium
of Roman History to the accession of his patron
364 A.D. Aurelius Victor, who lived in the fourth century
A.D., is said to have composed the Origin of the
Roman Nation; On the Illustrious Men of the City of Rome;
The CcBsars, brief biographies of the emperors from