- The Library -

[ray243]

Those two books are rather standard works now, although more modern works are vying to replace them as standard text's. Lots of authors quote from them, but I have wondered exactly how many of those authors can read German or French and therefore they are probably taking quotes from other works (a pretty standard practice sadly).

I thought that most ancient history majors requires you to learn French and German at the very least?

[Valentinian Victor]

I thought that most ancient history majors requires you to learn French and German at the very least?

There was no talk of my having to know anything other than English when I applied to do the Degree in Classical Civilisation with combined Latin degree here in the UK. I actually ended up doing an Honours Degree in Nursing & Social Work Studies, but that's another tale...

[ray243]

There was no talk of my having to know anything other than English when I applied to do the Degree in Classical Civilisation with combined Latin degree here in the UK. I actually ended up doing an Honours Degree in Nursing & Social Work Studies, but that's another tale...

I'm not saying that you need to understand those two language as a pre-requite, I'm saying that they will make it necessary to learn those language by the end of 3/4 years.

[juvenus]

Does anyone know if Ammianus' work is available online for free (translated in english)?

[SeniorBatavianHorse]

Yep ,the Younge translation from back in 1862 is here - look under 'translations' for the hyperlink! I have that edition in hardback published in that year - it's unabridged, unlike the Penguin one.

[Valentinian Victor]

Yep ,the Younge translation from back in 1862 is here - look under 'translations' for the hyperlink! I have that edition in hardback published in that year - it's unabridged, unlike the Penguin one.

My only caveat about the online translations is that make sure you find the original either in Greek or Latin so that you can check the translation. Both Younge's and Rolfe's translations leave something to be desired and when you compare the Latin with the translation you will find out some rather interesting things neither author appears to have either translated or bothered to translate at all.

[juvenus]

Yep ,the Younge translation from back in 1862 is here - look under 'translations' for the hyperlink! I have that edition in hardback published in that year - it's unabridged, unlike the Penguin one.

Excellent. Fast and productive as always SBH. +rep (again)

BTW: you'll make me spend all my rep credit on you

My only caveat about the online translations is that make sure you find the original either in Greek or Latin so that you can check the translation. Both Younge's and Rolfe's translations leave something to be desired and when you compare the Latin with the translation you will find out some rather interesting things neither author appears to have either translated or bothered to translate at all.

I'm sure you're right but unfortunately, I have no any clue about Latin, so I'll be happy with english translation.

[SeniorBatavianHorse]

Yes, same here, alas. I have no knowledge about Late Latin at all . . .

You'll make me blush with all that rep!

[elendir]

Has anyone read the following book:

Roy Boss: Justinian’s Wars: Belisarius, Narses and the Reconquest of the
West. Montvert Publications, 1993

[SeniorBatavianHorse]

Not me, alas!

[Constantius]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/reader/1861979355/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link
I thought this book was a very good read "The Ruin of the Empire:The Emperor who brought it down ,and the Barbarians who could of saved it "James J o'connel (2009)profile books .

[Valentinian Victor]

Has anyone read the following book:

Roy Boss: Justinian’s Wars: Belisarius, Narses and the Reconquest of the
West. Montvert Publications, 1993

I've corresponded with Roy Boss and he knows his stuff.

[elendir]

Thanks. I've suspected so.

[Magister Militum Flavius Aetius]

How about Edward Gibbon's the Decline and fall of the Roman EMpire. I've read books 1, 2, and 3 out of six.

[Valentinian Victor]

How about Edward Gibbon's the Decline and fall of the Roman EMpire. I've read books 1, 2, and 3 out of six.

Whilst I like Gibbon's work, research and archeology has greatly assisted modern writers and unfortunately Gibbon's tends not to get the credit he once used to enjoy. It is a shame that most modern works barely, if at all, mention Gibbon or quote from him.

[Constantius]

Edward Gibbons Decline and fall of the Roman Empire ,whilst it is a master piece of English literature ,it is also a book of its age and one that takes alot of the values of the author along with it ,especially when i come to Christianity ,the late Roman period and the Eastern Roman Empire ( Byzantium)

[Magister Militum Flavius Aetius]

I wish gibbon would get more credit. I'm listing him as a scource in my book about Aetius.

[Constantius]

But as I said ,yes its a master piece ,its biased towards his personnel dislikes of Christianty ,Its also takes alot of the values of his day.

[PSEUDO ROMANUS]

I agree with constantius' point of view. BTW, nice username . Constantius (III) must be my favourite 'generalissimo'.

[SeniorBatavianHorse]

I see you list a quotation from Arthur Ferrill's book 'The Fall of the Roman Empire', Magistri Militum FlaviusAetius. What do you think of it?