The Roman History

"[A] well-vetted, well-thought-out, and much overdue updated English translation. It will make Velleius accessible to undergraduates, who previously may have only read Livy, Sallust, or Tacitus. Perhaps the greatest merit of the book is its thorough notation throughout the translation. . . . a necessity for nonspecialist readers."
     —Nikolaus Overtoom, Louisiana State University in H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online

SKU
27037g

From Romulus and the Foundation of Rome
to the Reign of the Emperor Tiberius

Velleius Paterculus
Translated, with Introduction and Notes, by
J. C. Yardley and Anthony A. Barrett

2011 - 224 pp.

Grouped product items
Format ISBN Price Qty
Cloth (no dust jacket) 978-1-60384-592-2
$44.00
Paper 978-1-60384-591-5
$16.00

eBook available for $14.50. Click HERE for more information.

This essential document for the study of Roman history traces the story of Rome from Romulus and the foundations of Rome to the reign of the Emperor Tiberius.  It is especially valuable to historians and students for its vivid eyewitness account of the dramatic years that saw the Roman Empire emerge from the chaos left by the shattered Republic.

Rendered with the non-specialist in mind, the translation—the first English language translation in nearly ninety years—seeks to remain faithful to the original while avoiding technical and obscure jargon.

The volume includes a substantial introduction to Velleius’ life and times, and to the literary context of his historical work, as well as generous and detailed notes on the text, a bibliography, map, glossary of unfamiliar terms, and an index. 

 

Reviews:

"No study of the Augustan or Tiberian age can (or should) now begin without taking account of what Velleius tells us."
     —David Potter, University of Michigan

 

"[A] well-vetted, well-thought-out, and much overdue updated English translation. It will make Velleius accessible to undergraduates, who previously may have only read Livy, Sallust, or Tacitus. Perhaps the greatest merit of the book is its thorough notation throughout the translation. . . . a necessity for nonspecialist readers."
     —Nikolaus Overtoom, Louisiana State University in H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online

 

Contents:

Preface
Abbreviations of Ancient Authors and Works
Introduction
Bibliography
Note on the Text
Note on the Translation
Map

The Roman History
   Book 1
   Book 2

Appendix A: A Fragment of Greek History and Legend
Appendix B: A Line of Greek History
Appendix C: Variations from the Teubner Text
Glossary of Common Terms
Index of People and Places in Velleius’ Tex

 

About the Authors:

J. C. Yardley is Professor of Classics, Emeritus, University of Ottawa.

Anthony A. Barrett is Professor of Classics, Emeritus, University of British Columbia.