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Cassius Dio: An Ancient Historian Who Shaped Our Understanding of Rome

Gavin Mitchell

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Cassius Dio Cocceianus (c. 155 – c. 235 CE) was a Roman senator, consul, and historian. He is best known for his comprehensive history of Rome, known as the Roman History, which spans from the founding of the city in 753 BCE to the reign of Emperor Alexander Severus in 229 CE.

Dio's Roman History is a valuable source of information for scholars and historians today. It provides a detailed account of Roman politics, wars, and cultural life. Dio's work is also notable for its insights into the character and motivations of the emperors he wrote about.

Cassius Dio (Ancients in Action)

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Dio was born in Nicaea, Bithynia (modern-day Turkey). He came from a wealthy and influential family. His father, Cassius Apronianus, was a Roman senator and governor of several provinces. Dio's mother, Julia Procula, was a descendant of the Roman emperor Trajan.

Dio received a traditional Roman education. He studied rhetoric, philosophy, and history. He also served in the Roman army as a military tribune.

In 180 CE, Dio was elected to the Roman Senate. He served as a quaestor, aedile, and praetor before being elected consul in 205 CE. As consul, Dio was responsible for overseeing the census and organizing the gladiatorial games.

After his consulship, Dio retired from public life and devoted himself to writing his Roman History. He spent the next two decades researching and writing his history. He consulted a wide range of sources, including official documents, speeches, and letters.

Dio's Roman History was a massive work, consisting of 80 books. Only 36 of these books have survived to the present day. The surviving books cover the period from 69 BCE to 229 CE.

Dio's Roman History has been praised by scholars for its accuracy and objectivity. Dio was a careful researcher, and he consulted a wide range of sources. He was also willing to criticize the emperors he wrote about, even those he admired.

Dio's Roman History is an important work of ancient historiography. It is a valuable source of information for scholars and historians today. Dio's work provides a detailed account of Roman politics, wars, and cultural life. It also provides insights into the character and motivations of the emperors he wrote about.

The Legacy of Cassius Dio

Cassius Dio's Roman History has had a profound impact on our understanding of ancient Rome. It is one of the most important sources of information for scholars and historians today.

Dio's work has been translated into many languages and has been studied by scholars for centuries. It has been used to inform countless books, articles, and documentaries.

Dio's Roman History is a valuable resource for understanding the Roman Empire. It is a detailed and accurate account of Roman politics, wars, and cultural life. It also provides insights into the character and motivations of the emperors he wrote about.

Cassius Dio was a great historian who left a lasting legacy. His Roman History is a valuable source of information for scholars and historians today. It is a work that will continue to be studied and debated for centuries to come.