Greek Historians Under the Roman Empire Flashcards
When was Cassius Dio alive?
165 – ca. 231 AD
Why was Cassius Dio writing?
The murder of Commodus inspired him. Underlying agenda, literary political goal - musing on the ideal form of government
Which political system did Cassius Dio favour and why?
The key to Roman stability and success is not democracy or the oligarchy republican system - Dio viewed this as having too much scope for personal competition, anarchy, mob rule which results in civil war - instead the key is imperial monarchy as a more stable system, but it only works if the Emperor puts reliable people into the correct positions.
What was the significance of the senate to Cassius Dio?
Dio considers the senate to be the most reliable body of men (he was a member), he presents the Emperors who failed as having promoted their own people in favour of the appropriate ones
Which historian was Cassius Dio similar to?
Thucydides - both view themselves as critical analysts when it comes to the source material
Was Dio an imperial toady?
Dio is not an imperial toady, he does not shy away from criticising Emperors, even those he likes
What did Dio believe was an effect of the Republic giving way to the Empire?
Dio has a distinct literary agenda - covers the Republic giving way to the Empire: public become more vocal and the senate cowers, because the Emperor’s power relies on the public
When was Plutarch alive?
c. 45 - c. 120 AD
Which historian was technically a biographer?
Plutarch
How did Plutarch come to write under the Roman Empire?
Hometown of Chaeronea was the site of two battles - one by Philip II gaining control of Macedon, and one by Sulla. Awareness of the constraints upon the elites like himself, now that Chaeronea was under the control of the Roman Empire
What was Plutarch’s Parallel Lives?
A collection of paired biographies, despite writing under the Roman Empire, all figures used are from the Republic. Juxtaposing a famous Greek with a famous Roman (from Republic), e.g. Lysander and Sulla, Pericles and Fabius Maximus, Nicias and Crassus, Alexander and Caesar. 22 of the 23 pairs survive
Why did Plutarch write his Parallel Lives?
Place of Greeks in the Roman empire - still important. Greeks may be subordinate but equals of their Roman masters - Greeks still have a past in which they have achieved great things, mostly military. Pride in achievements of Greek past - wanting to look back to the past, early 2nd c. CE is the latest he goes. Inserting themselves culturally into the Roman Empire
What were Plutarch’s failings?
Failings: But Plutarch’s purpose is not so much the narration of a man’s life as the exploration of his character - not focused on the entirety of his life, doesn’t necessarily give us everything about the characters and often assumes knowledge of his subjects, which creates a selective narrative.
