Gavin Kelly, Ammianus Marcellinus: The Allusive Historian. Cambridge/New York: Cambridge University Press, coll. "Cambridge Classical Studies", 2008, xi-378p.
ISBN 13 (ean): 9780521842990 (Hardback)
Recension par Eric Fournier (West Chester University of Pennsylvania) dans Bryn Mawr Classical Review: 2008.12.31
Table des matières PDF (70KB)
Extraits (Books.Google.fr)
Présentation de l'éditeur:
AmmianusMarcellinus is usually regarded as our most important source for thehistory of the second half of the fourth century AD, while his literaryqualities are neglected. This book demonstrates what a subtle andmanipulative writer Ammianus is; attention is paid particularly to hisrich and variegated intertextuality with earlier classical literatureand history. Questioning the prevailing interest in the historian'slife as the key to his work, Dr Kelly re-evaluates thehistoriographical function of the vivid and thrilling autobiographicalpassages. The range of Ammianus' allusions is surveyed, including hisuse of classical examples, his relationship with historicalsource-texts and the workings of internal echoes within the history.His interactions with other texts are seen as carefully controlled andmeaningful; and both his allusive techniques and writing in general, itis argued, are better viewed as reflecting a classical, rather than alate antique, aesthetic.
• First book-length literary study ofAmmianus Marcellinus in English • Offers an important reassessment oftraditional biographical interpretations • Links a late-antique authorwith recent advances in the study of classical historiography and ofintertextuality in earlier classical literature
Sommaire:
Introduction;Part I. The Elusive Historian: 1. The bones on the battlefield; 2. Theadventures of Ammianus; 3. The limits of biography; Part II. TheAllusive Historian: 4. Ammianus' intertextuality; 5. Sources; 6. Theexemplary historian; 7. Julian's monument; Epilogue.