G. Kelly, Ammianus Marcellinus: The Allusive Historian.

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:

Ammianus Marcellinus is usually regarded as our most important source for the history of the second half of the fourth century AD, while his literary qualities are neglected. This book demonstrates what a subtle and manipulative writer Ammianus is; attention is paid particularly to his rich and variegated intertextuality with earlier classical literature and history. Questioning the prevailing interest in the historian's life as the key to his work, Dr Kelly re-evaluates the historiographical function of the vivid and thrilling autobiographical passages. The range of Ammianus' allusions is surveyed, including his use of classical examples, his relationship with historical source-texts and the workings of internal echoes within the history. His interactions with other texts are seen as carefully controlled and meaningful; and both his allusive techniques and writing in general, it is argued, are better viewed as reflecting a classical, rather than a late antique, aesthetic.

• First book-length literary study of Ammianus Marcellinus in English • Offers an important reassessment of traditional biographical interpretations • Links a late-antique author with recent advances in the study of classical historiography and of intertextuality in earlier classical literature

Sommaire:

Introduction; Part I. The Elusive Historian: 1. The bones on the battlefield; 2. The adventures of Ammianus; 3. The limits of biography; Part II. The Allusive Historian: 4. Ammianus' intertextuality; 5. Sources; 6. The exemplary historian; 7. Julian's monument; Epilogue.