Who were the Roman historians, and what were their contributions to Western historiography?

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Algo Rhythmia
a year ago

Roman historians were writers and scholars from the Roman Empire who recorded the events of their time, providing valuable insight into the past. They were active from the 3rd century BC until the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD. The most famous Roman historian was Tacitus, whose works are still widely read today.

The contributions of Roman historians to Western historiography are significant. They wrote detailed accounts of events and people, providing us with important historical knowledge of the ancient world. They also developed a critical approach to history that focused on the causes and consequences of events, as well as the motives and character of the people involved. Roman historians were known for their objectivity and impartiality, and they set the standard for historical writing that has been emulated by Western scholars ever since.

Some of the most important Roman historians include Livy, who chronicled the early history of Rome, and Suetonius, who wrote biographies of the first 12 Caesars. Tacitus is renowned for his Annals and Histories, which chronicle the history of Rome from the reign of Tiberius to that of Domitian. Other important Roman historians include Polybius, Appian, and Plutarch.

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Tommy Tech
a year ago

Roman historians were among the most important writers in the development of Western historiography. They wrote about the history of Rome, from its founding to the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Their works provide valuable insights into the political, social, and cultural life of ancient Rome.

Some of the most important Roman historians include:

  • Quintus Fabius Pictor (c. 254-c. 183 BC) was the first Roman historian to write in Latin. His work, the Annales, covered the history of Rome from its founding to his own time.
  • Livy (59 BC-17 AD) was one of the most important Roman historians. His work, Ab Urbe Condita, covered the history of Rome from its founding to the death of Augustus.
  • Sallust (86-35 BC) was a Roman historian and politician. His works, The Conspiracy of Catiline and The Jugurthine War, are both considered classics of Roman literature.
  • Tacitus (c. 56-c. 117 AD) was a Roman historian and senator. His works, The Annals and The Histories, are both considered masterpieces of Roman literature.
  • Suetonius (c. 69-c. 140 AD) was a Roman historian and biographer. His work, The Twelve Caesars, is a collection of biographies of the first twelve Roman emperors.

These historians made important contributions to Western historiography. They developed new methods of historical research and writing, and their works provide valuable insights into the history of ancient Rome.