| Ammianus Marcellinus: The Allusive Historian Contributor(s): Kelly, Gavin (Author) |
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ISBN: 0521842999 ISBN-13: 9780521842990 Publisher: Cambridge University Press OUR PRICE: $110.20 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: June 2008 Annotation: Ammianus Marcellinus is usually regarded as our most important source for the history of the second half of the fourth century AD, while his literary qualities are neglected. This book demonstrates what a subtle and manipulative writer Ammianus is; attention is paid particularly to his rich and variegated intertextuality with earlier classical literature and history. Questioning the prevailing interest in the historian??'s life as the key to his work, Dr Kelly re-evaluates the historiographical function of the vivid and thrilling autobiographical passages. The range of Ammianus??? allusions is surveyed, including his use of classical examples, his relationship with historical source-texts and the workings of internal echoes within the history. His interactions with other texts are seen as carefully controlled and meaningful; and both his allusive techniques and writing in general, it is argued, are better viewed as reflecting a classical, rather than a late antique, aesthetic. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Literary Collections | Ancient, Classical & Medieval |
| Dewey: 937.007 |
| Series: Cambridge Classical Studies |
| Physical Information: 1.23" H x 5.82" W x 8.49" (1.48 lbs) 392 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - Ancient (To 499 A.D.) |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Ammianus Marcellinus is usually regarded as our most important source for the history of the second half of the fourth century AD, while his literary qualities are neglected. This book demonstrates what a subtle and manipulative writer Ammianus is; attention is paid particularly to his rich and variegated intertextuality with earlier classical literature and history. Questioning the prevailing interest in the historian's life as the key to his work, Dr Kelly evaluates the historiographical function of the vivid and thrilling autobiographical passages. The range of Ammianus' allusions is surveyed, including his use of classical examples, his relationship with historical source-texts and the workings of internal echoes within the history. His interactions with other texts are seen as carefully controlled and meaningful; and both his allusive techniques and writing in general, it is argued, are better viewed as reflecting a classical, rather than a late antique, aesthetic. |