Roman Authors Flashcards
who had access to imperial archives
suetonius
who was suetonius secretary for
Hadrian
when did sallust believe the roman republic started to decline
146bc after carthage fell
who are the main 3 authors for Marius
sallust, plutarch and appian
what are sallust’s biases towards Marius
pro-marian but treats sulla fairly due to friendship with Marius’ nephew Julius Caesar
what are plutarch’s biases towards Marius
anti-marian due to using many of Marius’s enemies memoirs - Sulla etc - also fails to mention significance of military reforms
what are some facts about Appians account of Marius and Sulla
very detailed
slightly pro-sulla as they were friendly
focus heavily on military campaigns
strengths of sallust
- experienced some events he later writes about
what are weaknesses of sallust
- chronology issues
- selective with facts
- melodramatic
- pro marian so pro caesar
strengths of Cicero
- Letters not made for publication and give an insight to events
- Witnessed events and was personally involved in some
- Personally acquainted with leading figures
- Writing gives valuable insight into Roman political system
weaknesses of cicero
- Writings heavily influenced by own opinions and prejudices
- Speeches were written for publication/an audience so have an agenda
Many letters/speeches and other writing only partially survive
how many letters and speeches of Cicero survive
900 letters and 58 speeches
strengths of Appian
- identifies good sources and uses them with due criticism
weaknesses of Appian
- He rarely mentions his sources so it is not entirely credible
- He possibly didn’t follow one single source but used more than one older text
- Did not often check sources
strengths of suetonius
- has personal experience in government
- is quite reliable, lota of what he wrote lines up with other authors also wrote
- was a priest so has a deep understanding of religion
