Ammianus Marcellinus: Roman Historian

Ammianus Marcellinus, born approximately in 330 AD and living beyond 390 AD, was a Greek native who served within the ranks of the Roman military. He was born in the Eastern Mediterranean, potentially in areas such as Syria or Phoenicia, to an affluent Greek family. He grew up acquiring proficiency in both the Greek and Latin languages. Around 350 AD, he gained entry into the respected group of protectores domestici and became a member of General Ursicinus' staff.

He took part in the Roman campaign in Mesopotamia and was involved in the events at Amida in the year 359. Four years later, he participated in battles against the Persians alongside Emperor Julian and played a role in the subsequent retreat led by Emperor Jovian. Following his departure from the military in Antioch, he embarked on voyages to Egypt and Greece before eventually finding his settled place in Rome.

Thanks to his position as a protector, he enjoyed advantageous access to primary information. This information could be gleaned from direct discussions with Ursicinus and other military figures, or from reports compiled by the staff, drawing from the accounts of scouts, spies, or deserters.

While residing in Rome, he penned the "Res gestae," a historical record of the Roman Empire that spans from Emperor Nerva's ascension in 96 AD to the downfall of Valens at the Battle of Adrianople in 378 AD. This work potentially served as a continuation of the historical narrative initiated by Tacitus. He completed a total of thirty-one books, yet only thirteen of these have endured through time to the present day.
Ammianus Marcellinus: Roman Historian