Dexippus

File:I.Eleusis 656 = IG II² 3671(1).jpg

Fragmentary statue base erected for Dexippus at Eleusis (I.Eleusis 656 = IG II² 3671)

Publius Herennius Dexippus (Template:Langx; c. 210–273 AD), Greek historian, statesman and general, was an hereditary priest of the Eleusinian family of the Kerykes, and held the offices of archon basileus and eponymous in Athens.<ref name="EB1911">{{#if: |

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Life

When the Heruli overran Greece and captured Athens (267), Dexippus showed great personal courage and revived the spirit of patriotism among his fellow countrymen. A statue was set up in his honour, the base of which, with an inscription recording his services, has been preserved.<ref>Inscriptiones Graecae, II.2 3669.</ref> It is remarkable that the inscription is silent as to his military achievements.<ref name="EB1911"/>

Photius speaks very highly of the style of Dexippus, whom he calls a second Thucydides.<ref name="EB1911" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Works

Photius (cod. 82) mentions three historical works by Dexippus, of which considerable fragments remain:

1. Τὰ μετ᾽ Ἀλέξανδρον (The Events after Alexander), apparently an epitome of a work by Arrian
2. Σκυθικά (Scythica), a history of the wars of Rome with the Goths (called Scythians in archaizing language) in the 3rd century
3. Χρονικὴ ἱστορία (Chronike Historia) in twelve books, probably covering a thousand years to the reign of the emperor Claudius Gothicus (270)<ref name="EB1911"/>

The Chronicle was continued by Eunapius of Sardis, who opens his own history with a critique of his predecessor. The Chronicle also appears to be the primary source of the Historia Augusta<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> between 238 and 270, but Paschoud has demonstrated that the author of the Historia Augusta sometimes attributes material to Dexippus falsely and so that evidence must be used with caution.<ref>Paschoud, "L'Histoire Auguste et Dexippe".</ref>

Sources

• Martin, Gunther (2006). Dexipp von Athen. Edition, Übersetzung und begleitende Studien. Tübingen (edition and German translation).
• Mecella, Laura (2013). Dexippo di Atene. Testimonianze e frammenti. Introduzione, edizione, tradizione e commento. Tivoli.
• Millar, Fergus (1969). "P. Herennius Dexippus: The Greek World and the Third-century Invasions," Journal of Roman Studies 59: 12–29.
• Paschoud, François (1991). "L'Histoire Auguste et Dexippe," in G. Bonamente et al., eds., Historiae Augustae Colloquium Parisinum, 217–69.

External links

• Dexippus' Fragments in Dindorf's 1870 Minor Greek Historians