Herodianos, a minor Roman civil servant, penned a vivid history in eight books, chronicling the period from the death of Marcus Aurelius to 238 CE. His Greek-language work offers a colorful account of imperial events, providing valuable, though not entirely infallible, insights into Roman history. Despite limited biographical details, his writings suggest a man with extensive experience in Rome. His relatively unbiased narratives are particularly noted for their descriptive quality and utility compared to other contemporary accounts.
The History of Herodian (born c. 178 179 CE) is one of the few literary historical sources for the period of the Roman empire from the death of the emperor Marcus Aurelius (180 CE) to the accession of Gordian III (238), a period in which we can see turbulence and the onset of revolution.