Cassius Dio
Roman historian and senator who wrote an 80-volume history of Rome.
via Wikipedia: Caracalla · see source
Lucius Cassius Dio (c. 155 – c. 235), also known as Dio Cassius, was a Roman historian and senator. He is known for writing the *Historia romana*, a history of Rome in 80 books. Dio was a contemporary of Emperor Caracalla and was still writing during Caracalla's reign. He generally referred to Caracalla as 'Tarautas', after a famously diminutive and violent gladiator of the time, though he also calls him 'Caracallus' on various occasions.
- died
- c. 235
- field
- History, public service
- nationality
- Roman (of maternal Greek origin)
- known_for
- Writing the 80-volume Roman History (Ῥωμαϊκὴ Ἱστορία)
Lore & Background
Cassius Dio was a contemporary of Emperor Caracalla, writing his *Historia romana* during Caracalla's reign. In his work, Dio generally referred to Caracalla as 'Tarautas', after a famously diminutive and violent gladiator of the time, though he also calls him 'Caracallus' on various occasions. The ancient sources, including Dio, portray Caracalla as a cruel tyrant; Dio presents him as a soldier first and an emperor second.
Reader's Guide
Cassius Dio's *Historia romana* covers Roman history up to his own time, including the reign of Caracalla. Dio was still writing during Caracalla's reign and provides contemporary accounts of the emperor. He generally referred to Caracalla as 'Tarautas', after a famously diminutive and violent gladiator of the time, though he also calls him 'Caracallus' on various occasions. Dio's work is one of the ancient sources that portray Caracalla as a cruel tyrant, presenting him as a soldier first and an emperor second.
Did You Know?
- Cassius Dio was still writing his *Historia romana* during Caracalla's reign.
- Dio generally referred to Caracalla as 'Tarautas', after a famously diminutive and violent gladiator of the time.
- Dio also called Caracalla 'Caracallus' on various occasions.
- Dio presents Caracalla as a soldier first and an emperor second.
- Dio's work is one of the ancient sources that portray Caracalla as a cruel tyrant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Cassius Dio?
He was a Roman senator and historian of maternal Greek descent, born around 165 AD and living until roughly 235 AD. He held public office in Rome while also dedicating himself to writing.
What is Cassius Dio's major work?
His masterpiece is an 80-volume history of Rome called the Roman History (Rhōmaikē Historiā). He spent approximately 22 years composing it in Koine Greek.
What time period does Cassius Dio's history cover?
The work spans roughly a millennium, beginning with the legendary arrival of Aeneas in Italy and extending to 229 AD. This makes it one of the most sweeping single narratives of Roman history ever attempted.
Why is Cassius Dio important to modern historians?
His text survives as one of only three written Roman sources that record the British uprising of 60–61 AD under Boudica. Because many of the original 80 volumes are lost, his surviving fragments remain invaluable for reconstructing events from the Republic through the early Empire.
Did Cassius Dio write in Latin or Greek?
Despite being a Roman senator, he composed his entire history in Koine Greek rather than Latin. This reflected his maternal Greek heritage and the fact that Greek remained a major language of intellectual life in the Roman world.
More in Ancient And Medieval Historians And Philosophers 1-18
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