Appian: Roman History, I, Books 1-8.1 (Loeb Classical Library #2) [Hardcover]

Appian (Author), Horace White (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0674990021 | ISBN-13: 978-0674990029 | Publication Date: January 1, 1912

Appian (Appianus) was a Greek official of Alexandria. He saw the Jewish rebellion of 116 CE, and later became a Roman citizen and advocate and received the rank of eques (knight). In his older years he held a procuratorship. He died during the reign of Antoninus Pius who was emperor 138–161 CE. Honest admirer of the Roman empire though ignorant of the institutions of the earlier Roman republic, he wrote, in the simple 'common' dialect, 24 books of 'Roman affairs', in fact conquests, from the beginnings to the times of Trajan (emperor 98–117 CE). Eleven have come down to us complete, or nearly so, namely those on the Spanish, Hannibalic, Punic, Illyrian, Syrian, and Mithridatic wars, and five books on the Civil Wars. They are valuable records of military history.

The Loeb Classical Library edition of Appian is in four volumes.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 672 pages
• Publisher: Loeb Classical Library (January 1, 1912)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0674990021
• ISBN-13: 978-0674990029
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,285,606 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Imperial Rome's History of Her Conquests, March 19, 2005

By 

Octavius (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Appian: Roman History, I, Books 1-8.1 (Loeb Classical Library #2) (Hardcover)

Appian was an Alexandrian Greek born in the late first century A.D. who clearly admired Rome but whose knowledge of Republican institutions was limited. A Roman citizen, he mainly practiced as an advocate in Alexandria and later Rome where he wrote these works. His style is plain and unadorned but indicative and factual: exemplary of his lawyering skills. His work is encyclopedic and chronological only in the general periods of those conquests. He approaches Rome in a categorical way beginning with the Empire itself and then divides it into its individual territories going over how they became Rome's from first to last. A good part of Appian's work is unfortunately fragmentary.

This first book starts with Appian's own preface and then goes on to his subjects in order: Kings, Early Italy; Samnites; Celts; Sicily and other islands; Wars in Spain; the Hannibalic War; the Punic Wars. Although a good part of Appian's work is lost, his work gives us an overwhelming abundance of information about Hannibal and the Second Punic War. There is much detail on the army Hannibal brought from Spain with the intent of destroying Rome herself at the core: 90,000 foot; 12,000 horse; and, of course, 37 elephants. It was a gigantic army size by standards of antiquity or even pre-19th century armies. He had half his army left before even crossing the Alps four months later but went ahead towards Rome anyway seeking converts or razing the ground wherever he could. He would roam all over Italy for another 13 years winning some great victories but Rome remained mercilessly tenacious. Rome would pursue him like the Furies until his old age when he finally committed suicide just to end the chase. That's enough to get me reading this book right there.

The Loeb library is reknown for its publications of classical texts in English and either Latin or Ancient Greek depending on the author. If you're a student or teacher of classics you can't go without this publication. This translation by Horace White is a pleasant work to read. This is a very good investment for anyone who wants to be illuminated as to what humanity achieved over 2000 years before we even existed: it's priceless!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History of Roman Conquest in a Timeless Edition, May 3, 2010

By 

S. H. Wells (Tulsa, OK United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Appian: Roman History, I, Books 1-8.1 (Loeb Classical Library #2) (Hardcover)

Loeb's volumes of Appian's Roman History Are attractively presented in uniform green matching covers. The binding is sewn and is sure to stand up well against time and reading wear and tear. Each of Loeb's volumes contains an English translation with the original greek on facing pages. A quick search of the web will give you the tools to pronounce some basic ancient greek. You will be able to hear what this work of literature originally sounded like some 2000 years ago.

Volume 1 covers Roman expansion in Italy to the Punic wars (the time where Rome really becomes a major player on the world stage). The introduction nicely places Appian at the pinnacle of Roman power (during the reign of Trajan) and provides an interesting historical context for the Histories.

The set is completed with Volume 2 Appian: Roman History, II, Books 8.2-12 (Loeb Classical Library #3) Volume 3 Appian: Roman History, Vol. III, The Civil Wars, Books 1-3.26 (Loeb Classical Library No. 4) and Volume 4 Appian: Roman History, Vol. IV, The Civil Wars, Books 3.27-5 (Loeb Classical Library No. 5)

Loeb's edition of of Appian's Roman History has been around for about 100 years, so it is a strong guess these volumes will be something your children and grandchildren can treasure as well.

6 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How can you not read this?, July 6, 2000

By 

Caius Fabius "caiusfabius" (Oklahoma United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Appian: Roman History, I, Books 1-8.1 (Loeb Classical Library #2) (Hardcover)

The translation is very good and you are reading what is considered a primary source for research and scholarship. If your library doesn't have this, there is a niche that needs to be filled.