Customer Reviews

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

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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!

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.

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.