Jennifer Gerrish - Böcker

Sallust’s Histories and Triumviral Historiography explores the historiographical innovations of the first century Roman historian Sallust, focusing on the fragmentary Histories, an account of the turbulent years after the death of the dictator Sulla. The Histories were written during the violent transition from republic to empire, when Rome's political problems seemed insoluble and its morals hopelessly decayed. The ruling triumvirate of Octavian, Mark Antony, and Lepidus created a false sense of hope for the future, relentlessly insisting that they were bringing peace to the republic. The Histories address the challenges posed to historians by both civil war and authoritarian rule. What does it mean, Sallust asks, to write history under a regime that so skillfully manipulates or even replaces facts with a more favorable narrative? Historiography needed a new purpose to remain relevant and useful in the triumviral world. In the Histories, Sallust adopts an analogical method of historiography that enables him to confront contemporary issues under the pretext of historical narrative. The allusive Histories challenge Sallust's audience to parse and analyze history as it is being "written" by the actors themselves and to interrogate the relationship between words and deeds. The first monograph in any language on the Histories, this book offers comprehensive reading of Sallust’s third and final work, featuring discussion of a wide selection of fragments beyond the speech and letters, set-pieces that have generally been studied in isolation. It offers a valuable resource for academics and postgraduates working on ancient historiography and Latin literature more generally; it will also be of interest to ancient historians working on the late Roman Republic. With English translations of all Greek and Latin passages, this book will also be useful for undergraduate and graduate courses on historiography, Latin literature, and Roman history.

Sallust’s Histories and Triumviral Historiography explores the historiographical innovations of the first century Roman historian Sallust, focusing on the fragmentary Histories, an account of the turbulent years after the death of the dictator Sulla. The Histories were written during the violent transition from republic to empire, when Rome's political problems seemed insoluble and its morals hopelessly decayed. The ruling triumvirate of Octavian, Mark Antony, and Lepidus created a false sense of hope for the future, relentlessly insisting that they were bringing peace to the republic. The Histories address the challenges posed to historians by both civil war and authoritarian rule. What does it mean, Sallust asks, to write history under a regime that so skillfully manipulates or even replaces facts with a more favorable narrative? Historiography needed a new purpose to remain relevant and useful in the triumviral world. In the Histories, Sallust adopts an analogical method of historiography that enables him to confront contemporary issues under the pretext of historical narrative. The allusive Histories challenge Sallust's audience to parse and analyze history as it is being "written" by the actors themselves and to interrogate the relationship between words and deeds. The first monograph in any language on the Histories, this book offers comprehensive reading of Sallust’s third and final work, featuring discussion of a wide selection of fragments beyond the speech and letters, set-pieces that have generally been studied in isolation. It offers a valuable resource for academics and postgraduates working on ancient historiography and Latin literature more generally; it will also be of interest to ancient historians working on the late Roman Republic. With English translations of all Greek and Latin passages, this book will also be useful for undergraduate and graduate courses on historiography, Latin literature, and Roman history.

Books V-VI of Julius Caesar’s The Gallic War narrate Caesar’s campaigns in Britain, Gaul, andGermany in 55 and 54 BCE. His political rival Pompey was at the height of his popularity in Rome, making it all the more incumbent upon Caesar to deliver exciting news of victories. Book V should have been the tale of triumphant conquest in Britain, but Caesar’s campaign was underwhelming; Caesar the politician and general thus needed assistance from Caesar the author. In Books V and VI Caesar masterfully compensates for the lacklustre British campaign with a dramatic account of his forceful suppression of Ambiorix’s revolt and new incursions into Germany; the narrative is further enlivened with speeches and digressions on the Britons, Germans, and the wonders of the Hercynian Forest.This English translation faithfully represents the clarity and precision of Caesar’s Latin while also conveying the drama of Caesar’s narrative in a voice that modern readers will find lively and accessible. A substantial introduction orients the reader to the historical and literary context of The Gallic War as well as to the complicated political and authorial career of Julius Caesar. Thecommentary covers topics of historical, literary, and linguistic interest, providing support to readers of both the English and Latin texts.

Books V-VI of Julius Caesar’s The Gallic War narrate Caesar’s campaigns in Britain, Gaul, andGermany in 55 and 54 BCE. His political rival Pompey was at the height of his popularity in Rome, making it all the more incumbent upon Caesar to deliver exciting news of victories. Book V should have been the tale of triumphant conquest in Britain, but Caesar’s campaign was underwhelming; Caesar the politician and general thus needed assistance from Caesar the author. In Books V and VI Caesar masterfully compensates for the lacklustre British campaign with a dramatic account of his forceful suppression of Ambiorix’s revolt and new incursions into Germany; the narrative is further enlivened with speeches and digressions on the Britons, Germans, and the wonders of the Hercynian Forest.This English translation faithfully represents the clarity and precision of Caesar’s Latin while also conveying the drama of Caesar’s narrative in a voice that modern readers will find lively and accessible. A substantial introduction orients the reader to the historical and literary context of The Gallic War as well as to the complicated political and authorial career of Julius Caesar. Thecommentary covers topics of historical, literary, and linguistic interest, providing support to readers of both the English and Latin texts.