The history of Rome's internal conflicts, from the Gracchi to the Empire. Appian is one of the main sources for the history of the Roman Republic, especially in the second and first centuries BC, and sometimes our only source, as for the Third Punic War and the destruction of Carthage. Born around AD 95, Appian was an official of Alexandria, who was connected with the highest political and literary circles and later became a Roman citizen and lawyer. It is anticipated that he acquired a cavalry rank, and in his later years was offered a position as a commissioner. He died during the reign of Antoninus Pius (138–161 AD).
Appian's subject is the process by which the Roman Empire achieved its wealthy estate, and his unique method is to trace in separate books the history of each nation's wars with Rome up to its own civil wars. Although this triumph of "harmony and monarchy" was achieved through the inherent virtues of the Romans, Appian is unusually objective about Rome's weaknesses during this process. His history is particularly strong in economic and financial matters, as well as in matters of warfare and diplomacy.
Of the original twenty-four books of the work, only the Preface and Books 6–9 and 11–17 are preserved complete or nearly complete: those dealing with the wars in Spain, Hannibal, Africa, Illyria, Syria, and the Mithridatic wars, as well as five books on the civil wars. This edition of Appian replaces the original Loeb edition by Horace White and adds the fragments, as well as his letter to Fronto.
Pages: 560, Publication Year: 0609, Dimensions: 10.8x10.8cm
