Complete Works of Eutropius Read online

  The Complete Works of

  EUTROPIUS

  (fl. fourth century AD)

  Contents

  The Translation

  Summary of Roman History

  The Latin Text

  Contents of Latin Text

  The Dual Text

  Dual Latin and English Text

  The Biography

  Life of Eutropius by J. C. Hazzard

  The Delphi Classics Catalogue

  © Delphi Classics 2019

  Version 1

  Browse Ancient Classics

  The Complete Works of

  EUTROPIUS

  By Delphi Classics, 2019

  COPYRIGHT

  Complete Works of Eutropius

  First published in the United Kingdom in 2019 by Delphi Classics.

  © Delphi Classics, 2019.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form other than that in which it is published.

  ISBN: 978 1 78877 961 6

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  The Translation

  Bordeaux , south-western France — Eutropius is reported to have been from Burdigala (Bordeaux), the capital of Roman Aquitaine.

  Roman remains of an amphitheatre at Bordeaux

  The Roman Empire in the time of Hadrian (c. 130 AD), showing, in south-western Gaul, the imperial province of Gallia Aquitania

  Summary of Roman History

  Translated by John Selby Watson, 1886

  The Roman historian Eutropius flourished in the latter half of the fourth century A.D. He held the office of secretary at Constantinople, accompanied Julian on his expedition against the Persians in 363 and was alive during the reign of Valens (364–378), to whom he dedicated his history. The Breviarium historiae Romanae is a compendium of ten books of Roman history, from the foundation of the city to the accession of Valens. It has come down to us complete and was compiled with considerable care from the best accessible authorities. The text was written with impartiality and in a concise, even simple style. It is particularly useful to historians for its account of the First Punic War, as no copy of Livy’s original books for that period have survived.

  For the Republican period, Eutropius largely depended on an epitome of Livy, while for the Empire, he appears to have relied on Suetonius and the now lost Enmannsche Kaisergeschichte. For the final books, Eutropius probably made good use of his own personal experiences. The stylistic and methodological virtues of Breviarium historiae Romanae caused it to be much used by later Roman chroniclers. In particular, it received expanded editions by Paul the Deacon and Landolf Sagax. It was translated into Greek by Paeanius around 380 and by Capito Lycius in the sixth century. Although Eutropius’ text is known for its occasional idiosyncrasies, the plain and very readable style made it a favorite elementary Latin schoolbook for many years.

  A marble bust representing Valens (328-378), who reigned as Eastern Roman Emperor from 364 to 378. He was given the eastern half of the empire by his brother Valentinian I after the latter’s accession to the throne. Valens was defeated and killed in the Battle of Adrianople, which marked the beginning of the collapse of the Western Roman Empire.

  Portrait of Emperor Julian on a bronze coin from Antioch, c. 360 — Eutropius accompanied Julian the Apostate on his expedition against the Parthians in 363.

  CONTENTS

  Dedication

  ENDNOTES.

  BOOK I

  ENDNOTES.

  BOOK II

  ENDNOTES.

  BOOK III

  ENDNOTES.

  BOOK IV

  ENDNOTES.

  BOOK V

  ENDNOTES.

  BOOK VI

  ENDNOTES.

  BOOK VII

  ENDNOTES.

  BOOK VIII

  ENDNOTES.

  BOOK IX

  ENDNOTES.

  BOOK X

  ENDNOTES.

  A sixteenth century depiction of Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, published by Guillaume Rouillé. Tarquin, the last king of Rome, appears prominently in the first book of Eutropius’ ‘Summary of Roman History’.

  Porphyry bust of Galerius (c. 250-311), who was Roman emperor from 305 to 311 and features in the final book of ‘Summary of Roman History’.

  Dedication

  To the Emperor Valens, Maximus Perpetuus, Augustus.1

  According to the pleasure of your Clemency,2 I have arranged in a brief narrative, in the order of time, such particulars in the history of Rome as seemed most worthy of notice, in transactions either of war or peace, from the foundation of the city to our own days; adding concisely, also, such matters as were remarkable in the lives of the emperors; that your Serenity’s divine mind may rejoice to learn that it has followed the actions of illustrious men in governing the empire, before it became acquainted with them by reading.3

  ENDNOTES.

  1 The title stands thus: DOMINO VALENTI MAXIMO PERPETUO AUGUSTO. On the last two words Tzschucke has this note: “For Perpetuo Augusto Sextus Rufus” (who wrote a Breviarum de Victoriis et Provinciis Populi Romani, dedicated to Valens), “has in his dedication Semper Augusto. The Germans would say Allzeit Mehrer des Reichs. See Pütman De Titulo Semper Augustus, p. 60.” Tzschucke, apparently, took perpetua as an adverb, equivalent to semper. But Cellarius and others consider it as an adjective. Cellarius cites, in comparison with it, from Gruter, Inscript. p. 285, n. 8, D. N. Valentiniano Perpetuo ac Felici Semper Augusto, and p 279, n. 4, Aeterno Imperatori Nostro Maxima Optimoque Principi Aurelio Valeriano Diocletiano; adding, also, that Theodosius is called perennis princeps in Reines. Class. Inscr. iii. 62. I have accordingly given Perpetua as an adjective. Sextus Rufus’s dedication, too, as edited by Cellarius, Verheyk, and others, has Perpetuo Semper Augusto.

  2 Mansuetudinis tuae. Similarly, a few lines below, he says Tranquillitatis tuae mens divina, “your Serenity’s divine mind.” The use of such titles gradually became common in the lower age of Roman literature, commencing soon after the reign of Tiberius. They were the parents of our highness, majesty, excellency, &c.

  3 However Eutropius meant to flatter Valens, he could not assuredly have shown him better, than by addressing him thus, to be such as he is described by Ammianus Marcellinus, lib. xxix., subrusticus homo, and xxxi. 41, Subagrestis ingenu, nec liberalibus studiis eruditus. — Vinetus. Some have doubted the genuineness of this dedication to Valens, because the Greek translator has not included it in his version; but the authority of manuscripts, and the resemblance of its style to that of Eutropius, have induced Cellarius, Verheyk, Tzschucke, and most other commentators, to believe it genuine.

  BOOK I

  Origin of Rome, I. — Characters and acts of the seven kings of Rome, II. — VIII. — Appointment of consuls on the expulsion of Tarquin the Proud, IX. — War raised by Tarquin; he is supported by Porsena, X. XI. — First dictator, XII. — Sedition of the people, and origin of the tribunitial power, XIII. — A victory over the Volsci, XIV. — Coriolanus, being banished, makes war on his country with the aid of the Volsci; is softened by the entreaties of his wife and mother. XV. — War of the Fabii with the Vejentes; the census, XVI. — Dictatorship of Cincinnatus, XVII. The Decemviri, XVIII. — War with the Fidenates, Vejeutes, and Volsci, XIX. — Destruction of Rome by the Gauls, XX.

  I

  The Roman empire, than which the memory
of man can recall scarcely any one smaller in its commencement, or greater in its progress throughout the world, had its origin from Romulus; who, being the son of a vestal virgin, and, as was supposed, of Mars, was brought forth at one birth with his brother Remus. While leading a predatory life among the shepherds, he founded, when he was eighteen years of age, a small city on the Palatine Hill, on the 21st day of April, in the third year of the sixth Olympiad, and the three hundred and ninety-fourth after the destruction of Troy.1

  II

  After founding the city, which he called Rome, from his own name, he proceeded principally as follows. He took a great number of the neighbouring inhabitants into the city; he chose a hundred of the older men, by whose advice he might manage all his affairs, and whom, from their age, he named senators. Next, as both himself and his people were in want of wives, he invited the tribes contiguous to the city to an exhibition of games, and seized upon their young women. Wars having arisen in consequence of this outrage in capturing the females, he conquered the Caeninenses, the Antemnates, the Crustumini, the Sabines, the Fidenates, and the Vejentes; all whose towns lay around the city. And since, after a tempest that suddenly arose, in the thirty-seventh year of his reign, he was no longer to be seen, he was believed to have been translated to the gods, and was accordingly deified. The senators then ruled at Rome by periods of five days; and under their government a year was passed.

  III

  Afterwards Numa Pompilius was elected king, who engaged indeed in no wars, but was of no less service to the state than Romulus; for he established both laws and customs among the Romans, who, by the frequency of their wars, were now regarded as robbers and semi-barbarians. He divided the year, before unregulated by any computation, into ten months, and founded numerous sacred rites and temples at Rome. He died a natural death in the forty-third year of his reign.

  IV

  To him succeeded Tullus Hostilius, who re-commenced war. He conquered the Albans, who lay twelve miles distant from Rome. He overcame also in battle the Vejentes and Fidenates, the one six, the other eighteen miles from Rome: and increased the dimensions of the city by the addition of the Coelian Hill. After reigning thirty-two years, he was struck by lightning, and consumed together with his house.

  V

  After him, Ancus Martius, the grandson of Numa by a daughter, succeeded to the government. He fought against the Latins, added the Aventine and Janiculan hills to the city, and founded Ostia, a city on the sea-coast, sixteen miles from Rome. He died a natural death in the twenty-fourth year of his reign.

  VI

  Priscus Tarquinius was next invested with the government. He doubled the number of the senators, built a Circus at Rome, and instituted the Roman games which continue even to our time. He also conquered the Sabines, and added a considerable extent of territory, which he took from that people, to the lands of Rome; he was also the first that entered the city in triumph. He built the walls and sewers, and commenced the Capitol. He was killed in the thirty-eighth year of his reign, by the sons of Ancus, the king whom he had succeeded.

  VII

  After him Servius Tullius was placed on the throne, the son of a woman of noble origin, but who was, nevertheless, a captive and a slave. He also defeated the Sabines; annexed three hills, the Quirinal, Viminal, and Esquiline, to the city; and formed trenches round the city walls. He was the first to institute the census, which till that time was unknown throughout the world. The people being all subjected to a census during his reign, Rome was found to contain eighty-four thousand citizens, including those in the country. He was cut off in the forty-fifth year of his reign, by the criminal machinations of his son-in-law Tarquin the Proud, the son of the king to whom he had succeeded, and of his own daughter, whom Tarquin had married.

  VIII

  Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, the seventh and last of the kings, overcame the Volsci, a nation not far from Rome, on the road to Campania; reduced the towns of Gabii and Suessa Pometia; made peace with the Tuscans; and built a temple to Jupiter in the Capitol. Afterwards, while he was besieging Ardea, a town that lay about eighteen miles from the city, he was deprived of his throne; for, as his younger son, who was also named Tarquin, offered violence to Lucretia, the wife of Collatinus, a most noble and chaste woman; and as she, after complaining to her husband, her father, and her friends, of the injury that she had suffered, slew herself in the sight of them all; Brutus, in consequence, who was a kinsman of Tarquinius,2 excited an insurrection among the people, and deprived Tarquin of his regal authority. The army, also, which was engaged with the king in besieging Ardea, soon after deserted him; and the king himself, on going to the city, found the gates closed against him; and, after having reigned five-and-twenty years, was forced to take flight with his wife and children.

  Thus a regal form of government continued at Rome, under seven kings, for the space of two hundred and forty-three years, while as yet the dominion of the city, where its extent was greatest, hardly reached fifteen miles.

  IX

  Henceforth, instead of one king, two consuls were chosen, with this view, that, if one should be disposed to act unjustly, the other, having equal authority, might exercise a control over him. It was determined also that they should not hold their office longer than a year; in order that they might not, by continued possession of power, grow too overbearing; but, knowing that in a year they would return to the level of private persons, might constantly conduct themselves with moderation.

  In the first year, then, after the expulsion of the king and his family, the consuls were Lucius Junius Brutus, who had been the chief agent in the banishment of Tarquin, and Tarquinius Collatinus, the husband of Lucretia. But that dignity was soon taken from Tarquinius Collatinus; for it was enacted that no one who bore the name of Tarquin should remain in the city. Having collected, therefore, all his private property, he removed from the city, and Valerius Publicola was made consul in his stead. King Tarquin, however, after his expulsion, stirred up war against Rome, and, having collected a large force from all quarters, in order that he might be reinstated on the throne, took the field.

  X

  In the first encounter, Brutus and Aruns, Tarquin’s son, killed each other; but the Romans left the field conquerors. The Roman matrons mourned for Brutus, the guardian of their honour, as if he had been their common father, for the space of a year. Valerius Publicola fixed upon Spurius Lucretius Tricipitinus, the father of Lucretia, for his colleague; and he dying of some disease, he next chose Horatius Pulvillus for his fellow consul.

  Thus the first year had five consuls; Tarquinius Collatinus having left the city on account of his name, Brutus having fallen in battle, and Spurius Lucretius having died a natural death.

  XI

  In the second year also, Tarquin, with a view to being re-established on the throne, again made war on the Romans, and, as Porsena, king of Tuscany, afforded him aid, almost took Rome. But he was also defeated on that occasion.

  In the third year after the expulsion of the royal family, Tarquin, as he could not get himself re-admitted into the kingdom, and as Porsena, who had made peace with the Romans, gave him no support, retired to Tusculum, a town which is not far from Rome; where he and his wife lived for fourteen years in a private station, and reached an advanced age.

  In the fourth year after the abolition of the kingly power, the Sabines, having made war on the Romans, were conquered; and a triumph was celebrated over them.

  In the fifth year, Lucius Valerius, the colleague of Brutus, and consul for the fourth time, died a natural death, and in such extreme poverty, that the expenses of his funeral were defrayed by a public subscription.3 The matrons mourned for him, as for Brutus, during a year.

  XII

  In the ninth year after the overthrow of the kingly power, the son-in-law of Tarquin, having assembled a vast army, in order to avenge the wrongs of his father-in-law, a new office was introduced at Rome, which was called the dictatorship, and which was more absolute than the
consulate. In the same year also a master of the horse was appointed to be an officer under the dictator. Nor can anything be named more like to the imperial authority, which your Serenity now enjoys, than the ancient dictatorship, especially since Caesar Octavianus, also, of whom we shall speak hereafter, and Caius Caesar before him, ruled with the title and rank of dictator. The first dictator at Rome was Lartius; the first master of the horse, Spurius Cassius.

  XIII

  In the sixteenth year after the termination of the regal power, the people at Rome, thinking themselves oppressed by the senate and consuls, broke out into a sedition. On this occasion they created for themselves tribunes of the people, as their own peculiar judges and defenders, by whom they might be protected against the senate and the consuls.

  XIV

  In the following year the Volsci recommenced hostilities against the Romans; and being overcome in the field, lost also Corioli, the best city that they had.

  XV

  In the eighteenth year after the banishment of the royal family, Quintius Marcius, the Roman general who had taken Corioli, the city of the Volsci, being compelled to flee from Rome, directed his course, in resentment, to the Volsci themselves, and received from them support against the Romans. He obtained several victories over the Romans; he made his way even to the fifth mile-stone from the city; and, refusing to hear a deputation that came to sue for peace, would have laid siege even to the place of his birth, had not his mother Veturia and his wife Volumnia gone out from the city to meet him, by whose tears and supplications he was prevailed on to withdraw his army. He was the next after Tarquin that acted as general against his country.