Dionysius of Halicarnassus was a Greek historian and teacher of rhetoric whose literary style emulated the classical Attic dialect in its prime. His belief in the necessity of promoting education through true knowledge of classical sources endured for centuries. This approach was integral to the identity of the Greek elite, emphasizing the importance of deep engagement with ancient texts.
The instructional treatises of Menander Rhetor and the Ars Rhetorica, deriving from the schools of rhetoric that flourished in the Greek East from the 2nd through 4th centuries AD, provide a window into the literary culture, educational practices, and social concerns of these Greeks under Roman rule, in both public and private life.
As a primary source for Roman history, this two-volume work by Dionysius of Halicarnassus offers valuable insights into the era, paralleling the contributions of notable contemporaries like Livy and Virgil. It delves into the political and cultural landscape of ancient Rome, providing a unique perspective on its development and key figures. The complete English text makes this important historical work accessible to modern readers interested in classical literature and history.
Volume II Books VI.55 - XX
This volume presents the complete English text of Dionysius of Halicarnassus, a key primary source for Roman history. As a contemporary of literary figures such as Livy and Horace, Dionysius offers valuable insights into the historical context and cultural landscape of ancient Rome. This edition serves as an essential resource for scholars and enthusiasts interested in the intricacies of Roman history and literature.
Dionysius of Halicarnassus, born c. 60 BCE, aimed in his critical essays to reassert the primacy of Greek as the literary language of the Mediterranean world. They constitute an important development from the somewhat mechanical techniques of rhetorical handbooks to more sensitive criticism of individual authors.
The main aim of Dionysius of Halicarnassus Roman Antiquities, which began to appear in 7 BCE, was to reconcile Greeks to Roman rule. Of the twenty books (from the earliest times to 264 BCE) we have the first nine complete; most of 10 and 11; extracts; and an epitome of the whole.