An extensive chronicle from Aeneas to Alexander Severus. Dio Cassius (Dio Chrysostom) lived approximately 150–235 AD, born in Nicaea of Bithynia in Asia Minor. After his father's death (a Roman governor of Cilicia), he went to Rome in 180, entered the Senate, and served as a lawyer under Emperor Commodus. He held high offices and became a close friend of several emperors. He became governor of Pergamum and Smyrna, consul in 220, proconsul of Africa, governor of Dalmatia, and then of Pannonia, and again consul in 229. Regarding the eighty books of his great work "Roman History," which covers the period from the legendary landing of Aeneas in Italy to the reign of Alexander Severus (222–235 AD), we have Books 36–60 at our disposal (Books 36 and 55–60 have gaps), covering the years 68 BC–47 AD. The missing volumes are partially covered by Zonaras, who closely relies on Dio, and by John of Epiphany (from the 11th century) for some later gaps (from Book 35 onwards). There are also many fragments. The research possibilities offered by the official tenure of Dio and his own work make him a very important source for Roman history in the final years of the Republic and the first four emperors. The Loeb Classical Library edition of Dio Cassius is in nine volumes.